21 September 2011
Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano's Statement at the United Nations High Level Meeting on Non- Communicable Disease, 19 September 2011, New York City.
"Mr President, Excellencies,
Heads of States of Government, Distinguished Guests, Ladies and Gentlemen.
Sadly for many Pacific island countries and territories (PICTs) including Tonga, the 75% of deaths attributable to NCDs is a reality today. In the World Health Report 2002, the World Health Organisation estimated that 60% of all deaths in 2005 would be from NCDs and that this was projected to increase to 75% by 2020.
The Pacific countries have made it to the Top 10 nations on a number of indicators that no nation should be proud nor aspire to be on. This includes the Most Obese Nations and Highest Prevalence for Diabetes.
Changes to the environment which we live in have led to changes in lifestyles and have given rise to the NCD Crisis.
Mr. President
At the recent Forum Leaders' Meeting in Auckland, the Statement on NCDs expressed the Leaders deep concern that NCDs has reached epidemic proportions and has become a ‘human, social and economic crisis' requiring an urgent and comprehensive response. This echoes the Honiara Communiqué on the Pacific NCD Crisis where Pacific Ministers of Health expressed that they are gravely concerned about the rapid increase of NCDs in the Pacific countries stating the need for urgent attention.
In Tonga, NCDs is very much our main public health problem. 90% of adult Tongans are overweight or obese and 40% have either diabetes or pre-diabetes. Four of the five top causes of death are due to NCDs.
Recent evidence has also indicated that NCDs has caused a significant reduction in the life expectancy in recent years.
Mr. President
The Government of Tonga has recognized the burden of NCDs and the implications of not doing anything and has responded based on the following:
1. Giving NCDs due prioritization at National Level: NCDs has been included in the government's nine priority objectives of the Tonga Strategic Development Framework. This is part of our efforts to achieve the relevant Millenium Development Goal (MDG).
2. Strategies and Policies to address NCDs: This assists with putting in place a framework for Systems Strengthening, Policy and Legislative measures, Research and Evidence Based Practice as well as Infrastructure and Human Resource Development. Many of these areas cannot be effectively and efficiently implemented without external assistance.
3. Sustainable Funding Mechanisms: This is an issue for most (if not all) developing countries such as Tonga. We have been successful in establishing the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation. At a global level, a fund for NCDs similar to the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria for NCDs would certainly be helpful.
4. Development and Strengthening of Partnerships: Trying to address NCDs in developing nations without partnerships will be impossible. To date we have developed good working partnerships both locally as well as with development partners including regional organisations.
Mr. President
Tonga, in this important meeting is willing to work with all member states in support of the Political Declaration of the High Level Meeting on the Prevention and Control of NCDs. This UN HLM is a significant step in the right direction and it is imperative that this is not limited to a meeting to exchange ideas and experiences. Encouraging a whole of government and whole of society approach is crucial.
Strengthening of international cooperation and better coordination of partners will improve our chances of success. Especially when the issues significantly related to and affecting NCDs including World Economic downturn, Trade and Cross Border issues and Climate Change are beyond the control of small nations such as Tonga.
A more global approach is needed to supplement the groundwork already started in our struggling island nations. Advocating for accelerating implementation of good policies is an important example of such as the WHO Framework Convention on Tobacco Control (FCTC) is important as this will enhance previous commitments to the FCTC by many member states.
We must also go further and link the Declaration to set targets in our concerted efforts to combat NCDs.
Developing nations must be helped further with Capacity Building, Systems Strengthening,
Infrastructure and Human Resource Development with measures to ensure Sustainable Funding, targeted research and Evidence Based Practice.
Mr. President, in conclusion - Not doing anything is not an option. Not for today's generation and certainly not for tomorrow's generation.
Malo ‘aupito and I thank you for your attention."
ENDS
Issued by the: Prime Minister's Office, Nuku'alofa, 2011.
