Pacific to ramp up fight against NCDs [1]
Thursday, June 23, 2016 - 20:39
Urgent and stronger action to fight non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the Pacific region is the key message to come out of the NCD summit, attended by over 120 high-level delegates around the Pacific region and international development partners, this week in Nuku’alofa.
Alarming statistics show over 70% of all deaths in the Pacific, including pre-mature deaths are linked to NCDs, and it is likely these figures will worsen, unless urgent and widespread action is taken immediately.
Key actions deemed to be ‘best buys’ or cost effective measures to emerge from the summit in the NCD Roadmap Report include four common key strategies around tobacco control; unhealthy food and drinks; investing in primary and secondary preventative NCD strategies; and strengthening the evidence base for better informed decision making on investment planning and program effectiveness.
All Pacific countries are urged to include these ‘best buys’ in their own NCD Roadmaps and implement them using a multi-sectoral approach where government agencies work with the private sector as well as churches, community groups, universities and the media.
Actions such as increasing taxes on tobacco and unhealthy food and drinks, while lowering taxes on healthy food and drink (especially salt and sugary drinks) will need to be addressed as Pacific countries are already in the top ten list of countries in the world with the highest rate of adult smokers, obesity and diabetes.
Implementation of these actions needs to be done properly and measured to ensure people in all roles especially in government are doing their jobs properly for any effect to take place.
King Tupou VI summed it up in his opening speech at the summit saying ‘strong leadership’ is needed to turn the tide of NCDs.
“We have the ability to halt and reverse this NCD crisis. We have the power to protect our people. We have the power to provide our children with a better future and to keep our development aspirations on track,” King Tupou VI said.
Strong leaders need to take substantial action now to prevent and control the NCD crisis in the Pacific to avoid increasing NCD costs to government budgets leading to an ineffective economy.
NCDs are already imposing large unsustainable costs on the health sector, which is preventable, but it also extends beyond that by affecting government budgets and national investments. The economic costs to individuals and families caused by premature deaths and disability of skilled workers leaving widows, orphans or causing another family member to leave work to become carers would cause them to be more vulnerable to poverty and exploitation.