Having a healthy population produces a healthy econo­my, says Minister for Youth and Sports Laisenia Tuitubou.

He was speaking during the Apco Coating-sponsored 2018 Colour Ex­plosion Walking Towards Wellness Programme that was held at the Carnival Grounds, Churchill Park, in Lautoka yesterday.

The Sugar City woke up to a big number of people painted with rainbow colours.

“Having a healthy population helps Government save money and spend less on medical supplies to fight non-communicable diseases (NCDs),” Mr Tuitubou said.

He urged Fijians to be more active by having daily exercises and keep­ing themselves fit and healthy.

Mr Tuitubou and other govern­ment officials joined hundreds of people who converged on Carnival Grounds for the event.

“It is good to see people are re­sponding well to these sorts of events that promote healthy liv­ing and is very encouraging to see Fijians turning up in big numbers and standing in unity in the fight against NCDs,” he said.

2018 Colour Explosion Walk­ing Towards Wellness

Event president Paula Benn said the event focused on empowering and educating people on the impor­tance of healthy living by targeting Fiji’s biggest killer, which is NCDs.

“Today’s (yesterday) event was to empower, encourage and educate people to practise healthy living as we walk towards wellness and tar­get Fiji’s biggest killer NCDs,” Ms Benn said.

She said hosting one of the na­tion’s biggest healthy living promo­tion events presented a good plat­form and opportunity to educate and advocate healthy living and unity in fighting NCDs.

“We just need to look after our­selves by living healthy lifestyles, eating and enjoying healthier foods, because healthy living can be fun and colour explosion is an example of that.”

The colour explosion event repre­sented the NCDs wellness rainbow with the Ministry of Health.

“So we have got red, orange, yel­low, blue, green, purple and pink, which represents Pacific NCDs.”

Apco Coating backs fight against NCDs

“Yes we do support and stand with Fiji in the fight against NCDs,” says Suva Apco Coating Sales Manager Peni Lesaumaki.

He said they were proud of being part of the event and joining hands with fellow Fijians against NCDs and anything concerning healthy living.

“It is the second year that we have been sponsoring this event and, like I said, it is great seeing people coming out and enjoying the ben­efits in terms of health.”

The event was attended by hun­dreds of people, who at the end of the walk were treated to a healthy breakfast while being covered in paint.

Edited by Epineri Vula

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