NCDs

The Pasifika Plates cookbook was launched in Tonga yesterday at a high-level summit examining responses to the NCD crisis in the Pacific region.

Up to 75 per cent of deaths in Pacific countries are related to NCDs, such as diabetes and heart diseases, with unhealthy diets and lifestyles seen as important contributing factors.

“The role of the church and the voice of church leaders is extremely important. In the Pacific and here in Tonga, food is offered as part of hospitality. I think the issue here is what is being offered. In NZ, there was a movement in the marae for healthy kae, healthy food. We can have that here where we serve healthy cooked food, vegetables and fruits.

King Tupou VI echoed the same sentiments – laying down the challenge that without the churches co-operation, the Pacific’s push to address NCDs will be more difficult.

Seventy five percent of all deaths in the Pacific are NCD-related and this has even been linked to the decline in life expectancy in some countries.

According to RNZI, the Director General of the SPC said countries are not doing enough to combat the epidemic.

All foreign fishing vessels licensed to fish in Tonga's waters must now unload their entire catch in Tonga's ports before export.

The Director of Tonga's Fisheries Department Vilimo Fakalolo said this meant some of their catch and also the bycatch which could not be sold overseas could be sold on the local market.

The CEO of Tonga's department of Agriculture said a Chinese-funded livestock farming project was helping decrease reliance on imported meats.

The organically farmed meats, which tend to be leaner, are seen as a healthier option than many imported meats.

Prime Minister 'Akilisi Pohiva this week launched the third National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Non-Communicable Diseases.

Mr Pohiva said despite Tonga being the first in the region to formulate its own scheme to reduce the NCD problem, numbers had increased.