World Bank warns Fiji’s NCD crisis, calls for stronger health system

The crisis is costing the country approximately $260m annually.

Fiji must address its non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis, which causes 80% of deaths, by investing in a stronger and more efficient health system, according to a World Bank report.

The crisis, costing the nation approximately $260m annually, affects working-age individuals, with 64% of NCD-related deaths occurring in this group.

“If NCD levels continue on their current trajectory, health expenditures could soar to more than 2.5 times their current level in real per capita terms by 2050,” the report said.

To address these issues, the bank recommends strengthening primary healthcare, advancing digital health, integrating hospital networks, and improving NCD prevention through screening, registries, and tax policies to promote healthier diets.

In addition, retaining and upskilling healthcare workers and enhancing collaboration with private providers are also emphasised.

Meanwhile, current challenges include overstretched healthcare facilities, under-resourced primary care, and unevenly distributed health workers.

“In some cases, a single public health nurse is responsible for a catchment area of 30,000 people,” it added.