New wellness hub

Narewa Seventh-day Adventist Church in Fiji opened its new 10,000 Toes Wellness Hub on February 18.

The hub will serve the residents of Narewa, Sikituru and Yavusania by providing free health screenings for the early detection of diabetes and other chronic diseases, as well as promoting whole-person health through its lifestyle intervention programs.

With around 80 per cent of deaths in Fiji caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs), the 10,000 Toes Campaign has the vision to expand its current 40-plus hubs to more than 100 wellness hubs in Fiji by mid-2025.

The 10,000 Toes Campaign is an initiative of the Seventh-day Adventist Church aimed at reducing the epidemic of diabetes in Pacific countries. Every 20 minutes an amputation occurs in the South Pacific due to diabetes or an associated lifestyle disease.

“That terrible trend can be changed with lifestyle changes,” said 10,000 Toes Campaign coordinator Pamela Townend.

10,000 Toes operates in 10 countries across the South Pacific and has been recognised by the World Health Organisation.