29 Jul 2014

SPC to put spotlight on NCDs during Forum

8:31 pm on 29 July 2014

The director-general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community says he plans to talk to Pacific leaders about the growing problem of non-communicable diseases in the region during this week's leaders' summit.

Colin Tukuitonga is in Palau this week for the 45th Pacific Forum Leaders summit.

Dr Tukuitonga is also a member of a recently convened World Health Organization Commission on Ending Childhood Obesity.

He says the Forum summit is an opportunity to put the spotlight on a range of public health issues, including obesity.

"I'm speaking to the leaders about NCD in the region. A friend of mine said that we're going to die of diabetes and heart disease before we ever get trouble with climate change but those are the two big issues for our region, so I'm very happy that NCDs are on the agenda as well."

The director-general of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community, Colin Tukuitonga.