The leaders of Micronesia are now tasked with putting into action a series of resolutions passed during a three day summit last week, including efforts to improve healthcare and reduce high incidences of non-communicable diseases.
The gathering brought together the presidents of Palau, the Federated States of Micronesia and Marshall Islands, the governors of the Northern Marianas and Guam, plus the leaders of each of the Federated States.
Among the issues discussed were resolutions around climate change, migration and their close but complicated relationship with the United States.
Our correspondent Mark Rabago spoke to Sara Vui-Talitu.
Saipan in the Northern Marianas.
Photo: Supplied
Transcript
MARK RABAGO: Well for the Micronesian summit that happened last week, the three day summit, our governor said it was a huge success and he was happy because Saipan was able to host it at a time when the CNMI has a recovering, and is trying to grow its economy and he's happy that he was able to exchange ideas and as a result after three days they were able to agree on passing resolutions that covered environment, workforce and also co-operation with regards to building their island economies.
SARA VUI-TALITU: What concerns did others like Palau have?
MR: During the second day, the Palau President Remegesau said that he was very, very, concerned about the obesity or about the health of the islands. He was quoted as saying that he's afraid that Micronesians are dying out because ironically because while other people of the world, especially the impoverished nations where people are dying of hunger because of poverty, the people of Micronesia were dying due to overeating and obesity due to an overabundance of imported foods and canned goods that people of Micronesia have had an appetite for and have eaten like rice, which has resulted in non-communicable diseases like heart disease and diabetes. So he is trying to get his population healthier and the Commonwealth of the Healthcare Corporation CEO made a presentation about using the internet, like using the telehealth to help with diagnosis and with treatment of people in Micronesia who don't really have good access to good hospitals. So they are using the internet or mining the internet to communicate better with specialists on the US mainland ,Hawaii or Asia without sending them to these places.
SV: So is the internet quite good there then?
MR: Yes in the CNMI it is has improved its internet capacity. Like before we only had one undersea cable but we have two now. So competition breeds innovation and improvement and we do have better connection now. But I can see that Palau, FSM and Marshall Islands still have connectivity problems so that is an issue we have to look into now, but I think there are some government grants lined up.
SV: Yes good internet would definitely be required now.
MR: Of course. You can't have telemedicine without an undersea cable that is able to carry the bandwidth.
SV: So what is the attraction with imported foods?
MR: It is easier. You just open the can and usually it is cheaper than growing your own food or going to the market. We also have a finite landsource and no culture of production as such compared to the US or New Zealand or Australia so we have limited land space. It is really hard also to have organic produce that doesn't use pesticides so it's really hard especially for island nations to have that kind of option right now. But it is ideal to have a more balanced diet and it is quite ironic that we are
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