29/11/2011 (Fiji Times) - One of the greatest threats to our society are non-communicable diseases (NCDs).

It has been revealed that 80 per cent of illness, disability and deaths are attributable to these diseases ù diabetes, heart disease, high blood pressure and the list goes on.

And apart from the health risks that this newspaper has been highlighting so far this month, there is another area of concern ù the impact of NCDs on Fiji's health system.

"The burden of NCDs threatens to overwhelm our already over-stretched health services as it absorbs substantial amounts of resources," Prime Minister Commodore Voreqe Bainimarama said in his budget address last Friday.

"With our limited resources, we must work smarter in devising low-cost and high-impact interventions," Commodore Bainimarama said.

"Primary prevention is critical, and the responsibility of all," he said. In this regard, government doubled the allocation for NCD awareness and prevention to $800,000 ù comprising $400,000 for the NCD best-buy initiative and $400,000 for NCD prevention.

"It can start right here. please eat healthy and exercise regularly," Commodore Bainimarama said.

"Be cautious of the saturated fats and salts in your diet. Eat more fruits and vegetables," he said.

To support this, Commodore Bainimarama said government reduced the duty on fruits and vegetables that could not be grown in Fiji.

"Every single one of us must work at this, including me. We want all Fijians to live long and healthy lives," he said.

In another strategy to address NCD, government increased the tariffs on the importation of palm oil and monosodium glutamate (MSG) to 32 per cent ù both products negatively affect health; and excise duty for cigarettes and alcohol increased by three per cent.