BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
Dr Chester Kuma, one of the country’s top surgeons, has raised concerns over the increasing number of betel nut chewers in the country.
Speaking at the National Trade Fair in Honiara, Mr Kuma said the rate of betel nut chewers in Solomon Islands today is very high.
“I would like to mention one issue here that makes me worry too much, every day. I would suggest, maybe 70 percent of our population in this country are chewing betelnut”, he said.
Dr Kuma added that even little children are chewing betel-nut and whether you are aware or not, the habit can cause non-communicable diseases.
He also refutes claims that betel nut chewing can cure diabetes.
In this regard, Dr Kuma said this is a total lie.
He highlighted that the truth of the matter now and from very clear scientific evidence, chewing betel-but on a daily basis can rather cause diabetes big time.
Dr Kuma added that the habit of chewing betel-but can cause high blood pressure, stroke, heart attack and cancer.
“70, 80% of the population in our nation chew betel nut and I want to tell you, we have a major issue, or if you like, a crisis, in our hands today, with non-communicable disease (NCD),” he said.
Dr Kuma furthered that people need to take note of the important information and think about it.
“NCD is killing us big time. They are preventable. Dying from NCD is unnecessary. Health is by choice, not by chance,” said Kuma.
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