NCDs Wage Earners and the Election

Brother Fergus Garrett,

Dewan Chand,

Suva

Each year on November 14, the world marks International Day of Diabetes.

The intention is to promote awareness on the causes of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). We hear high pontificating speeches exhorting people to eat healthy food and lead a healthy (physically active) lifestyle. How real and effective is this annual appeal one wonders?

Dr James Fong, the Permanent Secretary for Health and medical Services, has expressed concern with the escalating number of youths dying each year through NCDs.

Although no figures were given, we can assume that the number of young people dying has substantially increased over the years.

This is not a pretty picture. We all know that Fiji has the worst case of NCDs in the Pacific. Certainly, our lifestyle is contributing to this.

Far too many people smoke and consume alcohol excessively. Accompanying this is huge drug and kava consumption.

Although we hear many attempts being made to control them, the story seems to be the opposite. Many people prefer to eat processed food and drink sweetened drinks, which are loaded with salt, sugar and calories. Thus obesity (major cause of NCDs) amongst children is a matter of great concern.

Perception creation is a major exercise of multinational companies who sell their products. First, they brainwash children by sponsoring sports activities, etc and putting up eye-catching advertisements. Once hooked, it is difficult for a youth to get out of this eating and drinking habits.

The introduction of smart technologies such as smart mobiles, smart television screens and smart computers have made life very easy.

Thus, sedentary lifestyles have contributed to the escalation of NCDs. The lack of political will to make and enforce legislation to stop misleading advertisements on television and radio or newspapers is another contributing factor. Catch22 situation prevails!

In my view the situation will worsen due to the lackadaisical attitude of the enforcement agencies.

Marist Brothers, Vatuwaqa

Is there a political party that is willing to put most Fijians first – the wage-earners?

The workers of Fiji have suffered long enough.

They lost their representative on the FNPF Board. Their FNPF contributions were reduced.

Their separate Wage Councils were abolished. The Minimum Wage rate has been too long in coming and is not calculated for different occupations. Change is needed.

Any party that promises to reverse these actions will be the one to form the government.

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