Earlier this year, King George V decided to use his patronage for a major initiative to tackle diabetes in Tonga and other Pacific nations where it has become a serious and debilitating problem.
Photos by Peter Halmagyi
"Tonga and the Pacific have one of the highest rates of diabetes per capita and my vision is to have a centre of excellence in research and treatment of this totally preventable disease." - His Majesty King George V.
Suffering from Type II diabetes himself, His Majesty is somewhat of an expert on the disease. To mark his recent coronation, he has formed a charity, the Royal Endocrinology Society, to help treat and research diabetes. His Majesty said of the disease, “If not properly managed, it can completely and painfully break the health, and lead to the death of its victims. It hurts their families, already puts a strain on overstretched medical services, and has a negative economic effect.”
The king has drawn upon his contacts around the world to assist him in this charity, including the dean of the Sydney University Medical School, who attended the Coronation in support of this laudable new royal endeavour.
Tonga has one of the fattest populations in the world, with statistics showing 70 per cent of Tongan women aged 15 to 85 are obese. As a result, diabetes is a problem of national significance and His Majesty is putting his energy, influence and patronage into this major research initiative.
The Royal Endocrinology Society is governed by a board of trustees and functions as an independent private charity. All funds raised through the media rights for the coronation and from the sale of mementos and merchandise will help finance the society.
Australia is also helping the cause by sponsoring the publication of a book on Tonga called Dream of the South Seas, written by Dr Michael Schirmer, the proceeds of which will also go towards the charity.
In a press release authorised by the Office of the Lord Chamberlain, His Majesty stated that his plan is to establish a centre of excellence in Tonga with the objectives of; “offering surgery and outpatient facilities, dispensing medication at subsidised rates, starting a national awareness campaign, promoting preventative measures, setting up diagnostic and blood analysis laboratories, forming a research programme and entering into co-operation with similar societies abroad.”
For more information and to make a donation please visit www.palaceoffice.gov.to
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