Fiji to host regional youth diabetes forum

Young people from around the Pacific with diabetes will meet in Fiji from today in a bid to form a regional network of leaders who can help others suffering from the disease.

Diabetes Fiji will host youths from Tuvalu, Tonga, Papua New Guinea, Solomon Islands and Vanuatu.

Its project manager Viliame Qio says the first-of-its-kind event will train participants in how to lead diabetes associations and help others with the disease in their countries.

He says part of the conference involves a health camp, where participants will meet with doctors and learn more about food, oral care and eye health.

"At the end of four days our regional friends and our local participants will be able to gauge knowledge on how to take control of their diabetes and secondly become leaders in their own countries especially as diabetes is an epidemic in our region."

Qio says its estimated 4000 youths across the Pacific have diabetes, and that number is growing.

     

Author: 
Radio New Zealand International