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Participants of the walk around Lautoka City at the Lautoka Hospital

THE Ministry of Health set out on a one-day campaign on Saturday to raise awareness about the non-communicable diseases (NCD).

Walk for Life, the one-day Ministry of Health promotion initiative was organised in Lautoka view of the increase in NCDs.

The event aimed to highlight concerns over heart disease, hypertension and diabetes in the country.

Into its second year, the health drive was meant to coincide with Fiji Week celebrations in order to have a greater impact on the eating habits and lifestyles of members of the public, says Director of Nursing Health System Standards Rigieta Nadakuitavuki.

She said it was part of ongoing efforts by the ministry to make people aware that lack of, and insufficient exercise were key precursors to a number of ailments including diabetes and heart disease.

These, she said, were among the leading causes of death in Fiji.

"We are regularly promoting a healthier lifestyle and this event is one of the ways we have tried to create more awareness on how important this is," she said.

According to the Ministry of Health, NCDs are the leading cause of death in the country.

It is believed that excessive consumption of cheap imported meat high in fats was also a contributing factor.

A ministry survey conducted in 2002 revealed that 16 per cent of the country's population suffered from diabetes and 19 per cent from hytertension.

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