Five thousand four hundred seventy-one people have so far visited the Pacific Institute’s Diabetics Clinic for consultation and treatment.
Speaking at the Eye Care Nurses Scope which was celebrated with World Sight Day, Health Minister Rosy Akbar says more than 75 percent of blindness and visual impairment can be avoided if patients get proper treatment.
Akbar says major causes of blindness and visual impairment in the country is refractive error and diabetic retinopathy.
“While Refractive error and cataract are treatable blindness from diabetic retinopathy is irreversible but avoidable with early detection and early intervention. I think one of the key messages we carry out during advocacy programs is early detection.”
Akbar says according to the ministry’s clinical data – blindness impairment in Fiji is estimated to be about 0.8 percent.
