Apia, Samoa – 26 September 2023: The worsening climate crisis and geopolitical tensions dominated Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa’s address at the UN General Assembly in New York last Saturday.
Fiamē told delegates a number of unprecedented natural disasters had occurred over the past year.
“We will continue to face these ever worsening disasters if we continue to deny addressing their root causes,” she said.
“Scientists have warned of more frequent and many more extreme weather events resulting in more lives lost and costlier and less resilient infrastructure.”
On the national scale, Prime Minister Fiamē pointed to Non-communicable diseases as a priority area for Samoa as the dominant health problem, and are the leading causes of mortality, morbidity and disability.
“At the national level – NCDs account for almost half of the deaths; premature deaths in fact, in Samoa. We have one of the highest obesity rates, particularly among children. Current data however shows some positive trends in the falling prevalence rates of alcohol drinkers and smokers and an increase in the prevalence of people who are physically active. These statistics are a catalyst for programs to promote healthier lifestyles.”
Fiamē said the Government of Samoa has made people-centered health services and NCD control a priority in its Pathway for the development of Samoa 2019- 2025 and has also issued the National NCD Policy 2019-2023.
“With support from its development partners, the Samoa government launched a comprehensive program in May 2020, with the aim to build people centered and systematic NCD service provision to strengthen primary health care, empower communities promote early detection and effective referral of NCDs and increase population awareness of NCD risk factors.”
STATEMENT BY THE PRIME MINISTER OF SAMOA HON FIAME NAOMI MATAAFA AT THE 78th SESSION OF THE UNITED NATIONS GENERAL ASSEMBLY
