Honourable Ministers
The Permanent Secretary for Health and Medical Services
Ladies, Gentlemen and Children

Ni sa bula vinaka, Namaste, Asalaam Alaykum, Noa’ia‘e mauri and a very good morning to you all.

I wish to start by acknowledging all those who have braved the early-morning cold to join us in the launch of the National Physical Activity Month.

It is a good coincidence that we are launching this event on Fiji’s Constitution Day, which we will be celebrating at the newly upgraded Albert Park in the next five hours. I hope that you will also join in that celebration.

As Fiji’s lead advocate and champion in the campaign to eliminate Non-Communicable Diseases, I am very pleased to participate and promote wellness and healthy living at every opportunity. And so I thank you for inviting me to launch the National Physical Activity Month this morning.

I am reliably informed that Government, through the Ministry of Health and Medical Services, is putting together some strategies to promote and facilitate active lifestyles and healthy living throughout Fiji. Today’s launch is part of the strategy.

Given the alarming rate of deaths caused by NCDs, I am sure all of us would like to see the programme extended so that as many Fijians as possible could actively participate in the programme.

Physical Activity can be practiced by anybody at any age, and at any time. From infants flexing their hands and legs to build their joints and top athletes doing rigorous training, to senior citizens going on brisk walks or pregnant women doing squats and lunges to assist with healthy delivery, appropriate physical activity has many benefits for the human body, mind and spirit.

The magnitude of non-communicable diseases in Fiji poses a huge challenge to the entire Nation and calls for concerted and collaborative effort.

Physical Activity is a key part of what is known as primordial prevention — a strategy geared towards keeping low-risk individuals healthy. In other words, it is about sticking to a lifestyle we like to call ‘Wellness’.

Each and every one of us need to decrease our risk factors, such as high salt and sugar intake, sedentary lifestyles, smoking and alcohol consumption, and increase healthy behaviours, such as eating balanced meals with fruits and vegetables, and consistent physical activity to maintain our health.

The recommendations for physical activity are simple. For youth aged 5-17 years old - 60 minutes moderate to vigorous intensity daily; for those aged 18 to beyond 65 years old – 21/2 hours of moderate intensity throughout the week.

Regular physical activity reduces one’s risk of heart attacks by increasing blood circulation and providing more oxygen to the body. It also reduces the chances of stroke, diabetes, osteoporosis and obesity. It is common knowledge that we must sit less, but it is key to remember, we also need to move more.

Physical activity doesn’t have to mean joining a gym. Working in your backyard garden, playing with your kids, or taking the stairs instead of the elevator are, but some examples. It is all about moving the body. Walking is free, it is easy, and it is something we can do just by stepping out the door.

We are all aware of the threats of NCDs and what behaviors can help us avoid these issues. Now is the time to walk the talk. Let’s celebrate Physical Activity Month by taking those first steps towards health!

Vinaka Vakalevu, Dhanyavaad, Sukria, Fai’eksia and Thank You.