One among three people in New Zealand is battling the bulge. Nearly 826,100 people are categorized as obese. Obesity is recognized as a setback to the health sector, costing a whopping $460m annually.
To control rising obesity in New Zealand, many hundreds of people could be recipients of taxpayer-funded stomach-stapling operations proposed to be conducted each year. According to health officials, this move could help many obese people undergo surgery to fight fat.The Health Ministry is mulling over surgical as well as non surgical options to help people fight obesity. This initiative by the health ministry hinges on a strong financial benefit – an expense of $25,000 to staple a patient’s stomach found to be far more economical than the expenditure on treatment of illnesses associated with obesity. Further, this move will seek to reduce the pressure on the health system while also bringing financial gains.
Source-Medindia
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