King opens new building at Vaiola [1]
Saturday, September 11, 2004 - 13:05. Updated on Tuesday, September 10, 2013 - 17:58.
The Ministry of Health's new administration building was officially opened by HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV on September 9.
The one storey building in the compound of Vaiola Hospital faces eastward onto Hala Taufa'ahau, directly opposite the Tonga National Cultural Centre, Tofoa.
The Minister of Health, Dr Viliami Tangi said at the opening that Australia made a generous contribution of $TOP1.37 million and the balance was met by the Tongan government.
The new building will separate the Ministry's administration functions from the hospital, including the offices of the Minister and Director of Health, and WHO officers. It has nine rooms on the ground floor and 12 on the first floor.
The construction of the new 544 sq. meters building was carried out by local building contractor Moala Friendly Construction beginning in September 2003 and completed in August of this year.