Stand Up And Be Counted: Minister

Minister for Health and Med­ical Services Dr Ifereimi Waqainabete has urged members of the public to partici­pate and promote a healthy lifestyle as we combat against the increas­ing number of people suffering from Non Communicable Diseases (NCDs).

The 2019 Island Chill Suva Mara­thon is set for July 27 at Albert Park in Suva with over 1300 participants.

Speaking during the official launch at the Holiday Inn in Suva, Dr Waqainabete said: “I used to run in marathons when I was in Christch­urch, New Zealand. It’s really good to be here today just to be reminded of the opportunity to run.”

“And one thing that we need to do as a nation need is to exercise and wherever we go we should teach our young children to be fit when they play sports.

“But actually what we need to do is to tell our children to get fit for life because the sports will to an end but life must continue. And this year’s marathon is also focused on promot­ing healthy living.”

Dr Waqainabete reiterated that we need to get all hands on deck and be part of the event.

“In addition to that there are lots of studies that have been conducted which suggests that physical activi­ties help curb Non Communicable Diseases along with the need to con­sume proper diet.

“Yes diet is so important but should come along with some physical ac­tivities. The World Health Organisa­tion did a statistics study survey in 2002 and then in 2011 which showed that our diabetes initially in 2002 was 15.6 per cent so a decade later in 2011 it rose up to 1 per cent so I feel that we are beginning to control diabetes.

“It is believed that 8 per cent of the deaths in Fiji are due to NCDs.

“ We need the whole nation to work together in fighting against this is­sue along with the private and cor­porate organisations, civil societies who need to support the Ministry of Health and medical services in delivering programmes in whatever small areas that we have.

“Events such as the Suva Marathon is a perfect example of our organisa­tion can collaborate and initiate the public to participate in activities that will benefit their health.

“And it is great to see in the recent Coca-Cola Games that most young people have taken athletics and have excelled.

“I look forward to seeing them in the next few years on how they carry the nations’ flag proudly and at the championing the healthy life­style.

“Therefore I would like to urge eve­ryone to be part of this initiative.”

Edited by Leone Cabenatabua

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