The Diabetes Fiji says sixty-percent of patients who visit hospitals and other medical centers for screening and checkups are diabetic.

Diabetes Fiji Chair Taabish Akbar says forty percent of surgeries that have also been conducted are also related to diabetes.

He says around 1700 people die every year from the killer disease.

“These deaths and other complications that occur out of the diabetes aren’t in advanced stages. You have people as young as people in 20’s and 30’s who are dying and being amputated.”

He says Fijians need to strictly monitor their eating habits and choose healthier meals.