Over 80% of deaths linked to NCDs: New Navua True Fitness gym aims to turn the tide
Navua marked a significant milestone in its development today with the grand opening of the True Fitness Gym, as government, business leaders, and communities united to highlight both the town’s rapid progress and the urgent need to tackle Fiji’s escalating non-communicable disease (NCD) crisis.
Speaking at the ceremony, Minister for Lands Filimoni Vosarogo says the transformation of Navua into a growing urban centre is the result of years of deliberate planning, collaboration and belief in the area’s potential.
Vosarogo notes that the town’s expected official designation later this year reflects sustained efforts in land use planning, infrastructure development and partnerships between government and the private sector.
At the same time, Grace Road Group President Daniel Kim delivered a stark warning about Fiji’s health challenges, revealing that more than 80 percent of deaths in the country are linked to NCDs such as heart disease, diabetes and hypertension, with over 95 percent of adults carrying at least one major risk factor.
Kim says it is no longer just a health issue but a national challenge.
He says the opening of the new facility, developed by Grace Road Group, represents a strategic move into the fitness and wellness sector, aimed at addressing those challenges through accessible, modern health infrastructure.
Vosarogo described the gym as more than a commercial investment, calling it a “space that promotes discipline, healthier living, and both physical and mental well-being.”
He stresses that facilities like True Fitness are becoming essential as Fiji confronts the effects of sedentary lifestyles and rising disease rates.
Meanwhile, the Vosarogo also issued a strong message to young people, urging them to make positive life choices in the face of growing social pressures, including drug use.
Kim echoed that sentiment, emphasizing that true fitness goes beyond physical appearance and requires discipline, consistency and balance through proper nutrition, exercise and rest.
He outlined the broader vision of the Grace Road network, which integrates agriculture, food services, wellness, and healthcare into a “farm-to-table” and community-centered model.
People can apply for membership at $150 per month, while employees get a 75 percent discount.