His Excellency the Governor-General, Sir David Vunagi, GCMG, was an invited guest at the annual fun run organized by the Honiara Rotary Club recently.
Prior to the start of the running event, Sir David said participating in fun running was one way of helping to reduce non-communicable disease (NCDs) which posed a great threat to the health of Solomon Islands and which was putting a strain on the already over-burdened health services.
The Governor-General was right in his comments and right to encourage all to become more active in exercises to ward off NCDs.
Comment
Taking exercise has been a common thread in many of my letters relating to health issues posing serious concerns in the Solomon Islands, especially when referring to the incidences of NCDs and the high mortality rate associated with some 60 percent of all deaths occurring at the National Referral Hospital.
Incurring a NCD linked illness is preventable and so do take the easy steps to avoid succumbing to it by following a diet free from too much fat, too much sugar and exercise regularly, cut our smoking and reduce alcohol consumption.
Yours sincerely
Frank Short
