The King of Tonga says a whole-of-government and whole-of-society response is needed to address the non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis in the Pacific.
His Majesty King Tupou VI, was speaking before several hundred guests at the opening ceremony of the inaugural Pacific NCD Summit in Nuku’alofa.
American Samoa is represented at the Summit by Deputy Director of Health Fara Utu and two other staff members.
King Tupou said, “We have the ability to halt and reverse this NCD crisis. We have the power to protect our children and keep our development aspirations on track. So let us keep in mind some of the practical ways this NCD crisis may be addressed.”
Despite the immense challenge ahead for the Pacific region, NCD crisis is surmountable and reversible, echoed the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) Administrator, Helen Clark, in her keynote address at the Summit opening.
Clark, a former Prime Minister of New Zealand said, “We find ourselves here with good reason – progress has been insufficient and uneven in combating NCDs, both globally and in the region.
“The Summit is an opportunity for the Pacific to strengthen its commitment to take a stronger, integrated and more urgent action.”
There are over 120 high-level delegates representing Pacific Island governments and development partners in attendance including the President of Kiribati and ministers of health from some 14 Pacific countries.
NCDs – primarily heart disease, cancers, lung disease and diabetes – are the leading cause of death in the Pacific, with life expectancy declining in some Pacific Island countries as a result of NCD-related premature deaths.
