Committee Topic Country Delegates

: World Health Organization : The Double Burden of Disease : The Kingdom of Tonga : Eirene Yulian Adelin Paramadina University

Double burden of disease refers to the dual burden of non-communicable (NCD) and infectious diseases upon the low and middle-income countries. NCDs such as cardiovascular diseases, obesity, and diabetes due to the effect of globalization which cause dramatic changes in lifestyle that lead to malnutrition are emerging and imposing now a new burden to those countries with limited resources. Yet they are still struggling to meet the challenges of infectious diseases such as tuberculosis and HIV/AIDS. Tonga is country in the Pacific Ocean and non-communicable disease such as diabetes and complications of diabetes are most prominent. For this, Tonga is highly concerned about the resolutions related to this topic.

The Kingdom of Tonga believes that in order to eliminate this double burden disease, promoting nutritional knowledge has a key role in doing so. However, Tonga realizes that promoting knowledge alone is not enough. Therefore there is a need for qualityassured immunization and integration of essential health services. Guidance and support from developed countries is also needed to develop policy plans, and strategy for scaling towards effective interventions or partnerships that provide continuum of care throughout nations effected.

In 2003, Tonga has made a commitment to promote healthy lifestyles and supportive environment, called the Tonga Commitment 2003. The focus is on lifestyle health issues to support and plan in areas such as the prevention of non-communicable diseases, environmental health, HIV/AIDS and communicable disease surveillance.

The Tonga Health Promotion Foundation, established in February 2009 with funding from Australia, provided grants to community activities which reduce noncommunicable diseases including diabetes, heart and lung disease. In December 2009 the first grants were awarded for community-based healthy eating and exercise initiatives.

Tonga is confident that the double burden disease can come to an end. Education remains perhaps the most useful tool in protecting and preventing the widespread of NCDs.

Another way to suppress the double burden disease is a lifestyle intervention which can reduce the incidence of NCDs. Comprehensive programs with appropriate legislation are necessary. A framework for NCD prevention and control is recommended as the fundamental basis for risk reduction. Governments, through the Ministries of Health, should develop a plan on battling NCDs such as set up intersectoral mechanisms including with other government ministries and NGOs. Appropriate financial resources should be re-allocated for NCD control. Governments are also advised to enable environment for healthy lifestyles such as promotion in healthy diet and increasing physical activity. Tonga also advises that countries need to initiate discussion on mechanisms to ensure sustainable financing for healthy lifestyle programs.