Although she is the youngest contestant vying for this year’s Miss Vodafone Festival of the Friendly North, Aliya Dean assures that her voice will be heard.

The 18-year-old Miss Nation Wide Travel Services Limited of Soasoa, Labasa said the risk of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) was a growing issue not only in the North, but in Fiji as a whole.

“The rise of NCDs has been driven by primarily four major risk factors which are tobacco use, physical inactivity, the harmful use of alcohol and unhealthy diets,” Miss Dean said.

“The epidemic of NCDs poses devastating health consequences for individuals, families and communities, and threatens to overwhelm health systems.

“The socioeconomic costs associated with NCDs make the prevention and control of these diseases a major development imperative for the 21st century.

“NCDs include heart disease, stroke, cancer, diabetes and chronic lung disease,” the youngest of three siblings said.

“Joining the contestants is an honour and I would like to thank my sponsor for their support.

“It has always been my dream to be one of the queen contestants and my mother, Saira Bano made it possible by submitting my name to the festival committee,” the Year 13 student of All Saint Secondary School in Labasa said

“I will surely make my parents proud by winning the crown.”

As an aspiring nurse she describes herself as a down to earth and friendly person.

The weeklong festival will begin on Saturday at Subrail Park in Labasa.

Edited by Jonathan Bryce

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