There are many indicators that as a region, we are not in entirely good shape but a major one is the physical health of our people and adding to it are reports on gender-based violence and the disadvantaged position of women make for depressing reading.
This was stated by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Finance Professor Biman Prasad while officiating at the Pacific Update 2023 at USP Laucala Campus.
Professor Prasad says these two problems alone mean that we are neither a happy nor a healthy region.
He says in terms of human health, a key indicator of economic and social prosperity, we have regressed in major ways due to the prevalence of lifestyle diseases in too many of our countries.
He says there are too many of us suffering in too many ways.
Professor Prasad says he has chosen to deliberately highlight these problems not only because they affect the economy but also because they impact every sphere of our lives.
He says he is starting to suspect and fear that some of these problems are becoming normalised and that we are starting to shrug them off like they are a normal part of our lives and that would be a real disaster if so.
Professor Prasad adds he sees the Pacific Update as an important event to contribute to our well-being by investigating problems and sharing information to identify solutions.
