BY JOHN HOUANIHAU
WITH the upcoming provincial elections just around the corner, one candidate is making health a top priority in his campaign. Edward Luhanisuna, a candidate for the Malaita Province Assembly seat for Mareho Ward 24 in the West Are’are Constituency, has outlined his plan to tackle non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in the province.
NCDs, such as diabetes, heart disease, and cancer, are a growing concern in the West Are’are region of Malaita province, with rates on the rise and putting a strain on the local healthcare system. Luhanisuna knows this issue all too well, as he has seen the impact of NCDs on his own community and province.
As a qualified registered nurse, Luhanisuna told SUNDAY ISLES that the non-communicable disease (NCD) in the Solomon Islands is serious and has become a silent killer throughout the country.
The candidate has promised to prioritize preventative measures against NCDs by promoting healthy lifestyle choices, increasing access to healthcare services, and advocating for better public health education. He believes that by addressing these factors, the province can start to see a decrease in NCD rates and improve overall community health.
“I have seen the devastating effects of NCDs firsthand, and I am committed to making a difference in the lives of the people in our province,” Luhanisuna said. “By focusing on prevention and education, we can work towards a healthier future for all.”
As the election draws near, Luhanisuna’s focus on NCD prevention and health promotion has resonated with many voters in the province. If elected, he plans to work closely with healthcare professionals, community leaders, and residents to implement his vision for a healthier province.
Luhanisuna is confident that he can make a positive impact on the health of the province and tackle the growing issue of NCDs.
He said that NCD is caused by lifestyle practices related to eating habits, such as an uncontrolled diet and bad eating habits.
He noted that there are a lot of contributing factors that cause NCDs, and the only precaution is to understand what people eat and take.
“Everything we do contributes to NCDs. Take the right amount of what we need to take or eat. Avoid sugary foods, oily foods, alcohol, meat, etc.
“However, first of all, NCDs in the Solomon Islands are one of the obstacles and challenges that even the Ministry of Health is trying to address through several effective ways to reduce but not educate the issue.
“There are NGOs and other stakeholders working together with the ministry of health and medical services to try to address the issue, but it’s still the same,’’ the candidate for Mareho Ward 24 in West Are’are Constituency said.
Luhanisuna said that NCD is an individual characteristic issue that each individual is to change within himself or herself to avoid having NCD problems.
“NCD is everyone’s burden and business. So the approach is to empower the food industry, and consumers should act to ban certain foods and other consumables that cause and increase NCD in our country. Education curriculum on NCDs to introduce in our formal education and schools in order to share the same messages across the country.
“Encourage farming and growing local food like in the past, when people used to plant their own local foods. Empower and encourage sporting and entertainment activities that people will engage in for better healthy lifestyle practices,” he said.
He said that it is quite complicated when we see NCDs being increasingly raised today.
“One of the of the most important things is the Solomon Islands government, NGOs, and other international donor partners as backup that will effectively and efficiently continually promote healthy life practices through health promotion within or through the ministry of health and medical services,’’ Luhanisuna said.
