The Ha'apai main hospital, Niu'ui was officially closed down on Saturday May 13, and a temporary hospital facility has been set up at one of the local doctor's home. All the patients at the hospital were also sent home, excepting for one patient.

The earthquake, which struck Tonga on May 4, damaged one half of the main hospital building which house the operating theatre, the laboratory, the x-ray room and offices. The patients wards were not damaged but plumbing and electrical problems made it difficult to look after patients at the hospital.

Other major damages reported by the Ministry of Health included three houses accommodated by hospital staff, and as a temporary measure these staff members and their families have been relocated to temporary housing until their homes are repaired.

Following the closure of Niu'ui, workmen from the Ministry of Work Tongatapu started reparing cracks in the structure of the hospital and constructing water tanks to replace water tanks that were punctured by the earthquake.

The Ministry of Finance on May 15 announced that government has allocated $150,000 to repair damages at Niu'ui Hospital and $30,000 - $40,000 pa'anga to repair damages at the Taufa'’ahau Wharf.