TONGA – Reversing the Non-communicable Disease (NCD) epidemic in the Pacific region will require new ways of working together, Pacific Leaders were exhorted this week by UNDP Administrator and former Prime Minister of New Zealand, Helen Clark.

Turning the current NCD trend around required a whole of government and a whole of society approach, Clark said.

One which empowers affected communities and engages them in policy making, implementation and monitoring of progress.

She used her keynote address at the first high level Pacific NCD Summit in Nuku’alofa to warn Pacific Leaders to be wary of another form of engagement – the influences and strong lobbies of multinational corporations.

She spoke of her experiences in New Zealand where transnational companies involved in tobacco, food and beverage interfered with policy making.

“These transnational corporations are lobbying governments against policy of regulatory interventions. I encourage you all to protect the right to health when determining trade, investment and commerce policies,” she said.

“In the Pacific, the NCD crisis is strongly linked to patterns on trade, consumption, agricultural production and unplanned urbanisation.

“Exported mutton flaps, turkey tails, processed foods and products high in fat, sodium and sugar have reached Pacific islanders’ dinner plates.

“These products are marketed intensively by industry. Unfortunately they are often more affordable, convenient and available than the healthier local and traditional alternatives, Clark said.

She said the NCD epidemic can be stopped with the right policies, investment and right support from partners.

“The tide can be turned on NCDs in this region and in the rest of the world.”

Samoa’s Dr Talalelei Tuitama said his government was putting in policies to address NCDs, citing the ban on import of turkey tails as an attempt by the government to take leadership in reversing the NCD trend.

“The ban on turkey tails was overturned by the World Trade Organisation and the government then imposed a 300 percent tax to discourage consumption, said Dr Tuitama.

Currently, 40 per cent of Pacific islanders have been diagnosed with an NCD before they reach their 40th birthday, according to the World Health Organisation (WHO).

In several countries over a third of deaths from NCDs occur before the age of 60 from cardiovascular diseases such as cancers, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes. Clark praised the efforts of Pacific leaders to keep the fight against NCD at the fore front of their national and regional priorities.

“The Pacific has the determination to meet the challenges of NCDs head on. It has shown strong political and regional leadership.

“The Pacific region is on the frontline of this global fight, just as it is on the frontline of the fight against at climate change,” she said.

“However, successes to date are still outstripped by illness, disability, human suffering and premature deaths from NCDs. “

The UNDP head said she is optimistic the NCD crisis can be reversed.

“What we have to gain are not just longer lives and more sustainable economies – it is the enjoyment and pride we take in nurturing new generations to lead healthier lives.”

King Tupou IV of Tonga emphasised in his opening address that the Pacific region needs an urgent and comprehensive response to the NCD crisis.

On its part, the government of Tonga has put in significant efforts to ensure NCD is kept at the forefront of everyone’s agenda, he said.

“NCDs have been specified as among the government’s priority areas for at least the past 15 years.

“Tonga’s Strategic Development Framework continues to prioritise NCDs and government leadership and support continues to be strong.

“This has led to significant funding investment both from government and development partners.”

King Tupou also highlighted the key role played by the churches in the fight against NCDs.

=“Many church leaders have shown strong leadership in making unpopular decisions related to food, given that it’s an integral part of Tongan social and ceremonial events.

“I have made my views clear on this matter to my own congregation and I am encouraged by development to date.

“Suffice to say, without the churches co-operation, the Pacific effort to address NCD will be more difficult.”

King Tupou is however adamant that despite the dire predictions about the future, NCDs are preventable and the predicted health and financial burdens can be postponed.

“Whole of government and whole of society approach is needed to address political, social and economic pathways that lead to reduction of NCDs and their associated risk factors in the Pacific,” he said.

The Pacific Community’s director general, Dr Colin Tukuitonga, told the high level gathering that the NCD issue was about individual choices.

“If a person makes unhealthy and bad choices, he or she will suffer from its ill-effects,” he said. “Failure to recognise this will result in many missed opportunities to address environment related issues and will make addressing NCDs near impossible.”

While many Pacific countries have taken the lead in the implementation of the NCD Roadmap, more accelerated actions are needed to tackle tobacco use, utilisation of taxes to support behaviour change and support for effective interventions.

The three-day high level Summit, which has the theme Translating Global And Regional Commitments Into Local Action ended on Wednesday.

- PACNEWS