Fiji | Life for a Child with Diabetes

Fiji has a low but increasing number of children with diabetes.
Currently there are 12 managed from Lautoka, 6 from Suva, and 3 from
Labasa. Insulin is provided by the Government, but glucometers and
testing strips are only available intermittently in limited quantities
in some hospitals. Families need to buy their own needles and syringes.
Like in Papua New Guinea, there are only a couple of trained diabetic educators.

February 2004

The new multidisciplinary children's diabetes clinic in Lautoka is thriving. With guidance from the Program, a National Childhood Diabetes Register has been commenced, which is providing important information on incidence and prevalence. Health outcome review showed that not all cases were type 1 diabetes - some older children clearly have type 2 (the "adult" type). Childhood type 2 is now seen in first-world countries, as lifestyle changes result in overweight and less exercise. It is not as immediately life-threatening as type 1, but just as harmful in the long-term as complications to major organs proceed at the same rate. The appearance of type 2 diabetes in the Fijian clinics is of concern as it suggests many undiagnosed children and adolescents in Fiji and other South Pacific nations.

May 2003

The Program is providing assistance to all the children with diabetes
in Fiji. Support from the Program has stimulated a truly
multidisciplinary clinic in Lautoka, co-ordinated by Dr Taito. Social
workers have recently joined the team, provided by the Family Support
and Education Group and HOPE worldwide.

January 2003

Dr. Shabnam Prakash organised the first ever camp for children with
diabetes in Fiji. The two-day camp was a great success. Unfortunately,
Dr. Prakash is migrating to New Zealand. Dr. Prakash has been a
trailblazer in paediatric diabetes in the country, training nurses and
doctors, establishing a paediatric diabetes clinic at Lautoka Base
Hospital, and instigating the IDF Child Sponsorship Program in Fiji.
Her experience and dedication will be missed. However, she has arranged
for Dr. Rigamoto Taito to take over the care of the children with
diabetes in Lautoka and other parts of Western Fiji. Dr. Taito will
coordinate with paediatricians in Suva and Lautoka who care for the
children there.

May 2002

Fiji does not yet have any formally trained paediatric diabetes
educators. Mrs Angela Middlehurst, an experienced paediatric diabetes
educator at Diabetes Australia-NSW, visited Fiji in November 2001.
Angela spent two weeks in the country, visiting the three main
hospitals - Lautoka and Suva on the main island of Viti Levu, and also
Labasa on the island of Vanua Levu. Between them, these hospitals cared
for all the children with diabetes in the country. Angela participated
in workshops attended by trained nurses and dietitians, and personally
met many of the children and their families being supported by the
program.

October 2001

Dr. Shabnam Prakash in Lautoka is very effectively coordinating the
program. Children are being assisted with glucometers and strips,
needles and syringes, and travelling expenses when necessary to ensure
that they can attend hospital reviews. A workshop, funded by the
Ministry of Health, was held in Suva to introduce the program to the
eastern side of the main island. There is now a regular clinic for
diabetes patients in Lautoka.

April 2001

We have just commenced assisting Fiji. Parent education manuals
have been sent, and expert clinical advice provided. Dr. Shabnam
Prakash, paediatrician at Lautoka Base Hospital, is organising a
meeting with the paediatricians from each area of the country to inform
them of the program and determine the best use of funds.