A new netball program to combat the increasing health problem of non communicable diseases -the most common causes of deaths - was launched on June 20, to encourage a more active and healthier lifestyle for all Tongans.

The Kau Mai Tonga Ke Tau Netipolo Program was launched by Hon Frederica Tuita, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall.

The program is aimed at combating the health crisis by re-engaging women and girls in netball to create a new culture of healthy living. The campaign is supported by a partnership between the Ministry of Health, the Ministry of Training, Employment, Youth and Sports, and the Tonga Netball Association with the Australian government's assistance. 

Officials at the launch of the Kau Mai Tonga Ke Tau Netipolo Program

The Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said four of the five common causes of deaths annually were due to non communicable diseases, with the fatal four being cardiovascular diseases, respiratory diseases, cancer and diabetes in Tonga.

He said adult mortality percentage in Tonga was three times the rate for Australia and New Zealand and most of the adult deaths were due to cardiovascular diseases.

Life expectancy had dropped from 72 to 69 years old for females and from 69 to 65 years old for males, in spite of a low infant mortality rate, he said.

Obese

Dr 'Akau'ola said risk factors in Tonga are inactivity, eating unhealthy food to excessive quantities, tobacco smoking and misuse of alcohol. 

Survey of the adult population in Tonga in 2008, showed that 50 percent of women and 40 percent of men are inactive while 87 percent are overweight and 57 percent are obese; 40 percent had raised blood pressure, 18 percent had raised blood sugar and about 50 percent had raised cholesterol, he said.

The Ministry of Health is delighted to be part of this health promotion activity which provides a concrete yet fun and enjoyable activity to increase physical activities especially for our women in our communities. 

We hope that Tongans will adopt a new culture of doing things, where we all encourage activities that embraces activities that increase our physical exercise and less on activities that promotes feasting and inactiveness, he said.

Killer 

The Australian High Commissioner to Tonga HE Mr Thomas Roth, said NCDs are the world's biggest killer and these lifestyle diseases were caused by lack of physical activity, poor diet, tobacco and alcohol consumption. 

He said this was not just a Tongan or Pacific issue, it is a worldwide problem. In order to address growing obesity rates, particularly among Tongan women where the rate was higher, the Tongan Government and the Australian Government were working together to deliver the Australian Sports Outreach program (ASOP).

The Ministries had adopted a Strategic Health Communication approach, he said.

"The best way to improve health is through regular physical activity, and a fun and social way to stay physically active is through community sporting activities such as this netball program." 

Partnership

The Minister for Training, Employment, Youth and Sports Lord Vaea, said this was an important program that used netball as a driving force to encourage a healthier and active lifestyle for Tongans and address the problems associated with NCDs.

He thanked the Australian Government for their assistance and called for Tongan women to join netball. 

"Netball is not only for women because there was a time when men played netball. I ask town officers and district officers to encourage women to join and help in promoting a healthier lifestyle for all Tongans," he said.

The program runs until August 11, with community engagement programs throughout Tongatapu. It will conclude with one day tournaments in Tongatapu on July 21, Vava'u on July 28, Ha'apai on  August 4 and 'Eua on August 11.

A marketing campaign featuring Australian-Tongan athletes and the famous sporting siblings Mark and Mo'onia Gerrard was also previewed. The two athletes were involved from the start of the program and their parents Mark and Kalasi Gerrard were present.

Netball teams from Tailulu College, the Marist Club, Nukunuku and Ha'ateiho were in attendance.

Registration of teams for the tournaments is now open and teams will be given full netball toolkits.