SIXTY-four per cent of the 2705 police officers who underwent a health audit last year were healthy and had a low risk of having a fatal heart attack in the next 10 years. This was revealed by Acting Commissioner of Police Rusiate Tudravu who said the remaining 36 per cent, comprising 985 officers, had medium to very high risk of having a heart attack in the same time frame.
He said the force was undergoing another health audit. “The health audit is important because it gives officers the opportunity to better understand their health status,” DPC Tudravu said.
“Like many of us, we often don’t make time to visit a doctor unless you’re sick. So instead of waiting for any potential health issues to develop, the health audit will pick these up and we can address it early on,” DPC Tudravu said.
He said the latest health audit was still continuing and that he could not give a definite answer on the outcomes of the audit at this stage.
“All four policing divisions will be covered and our teams from the force medical in partnership with the Health Ministry are out in the divisions. The officers will undergo the usual audit tests which also includes blood tests,” he said.
DPC Tudravu said they had been working closely with the Health Ministry, whereby those in the “brick red” category who were considered to have potential health risks would undergo further screenings.
And if there was a need to go for further treatment it was addressed during the said stage, he said.
DPC Tudravu also highlighted that one of the factors that contributed to officers being unfit was poor lifestyle choices.
“The work of a police officer is quite demanding and at times we do not set aside time for physical training or exercise in general,” he said.
Police Commissioner Brigadier General Sitiveni Qiliho had earlier directed the maximum attendance of the audits must be achieved so they could understand the health status of all officers.
