Japan to fund Phase 2 Vaiola Hospital [1]
Tuesday, July 8, 2008 - 15:50. Updated on Sunday, September 14, 2014 - 21:35.
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Japanese Preliminary Study Team, in Tonga from June 21 until July 11, are carrying out a field survey of the site for the project. Their findings and recommendations were presented in a meeting between Mr Tatsuya Murase from Japan's International Cooperation Agency JICA and Dr 'Ofanoa. The Minutes of the Meeting were signed today.
Phase Two will include the construction of a new Out Patients Ward, Administration, Emergency Unit, Dental Service, Special Clinics, Out Patients Pharmacy, Public Health, a Nursing School and other facilities targeted to be completed at the end of the project.
Further study
The Acting Principal Health Planning Officer, Sione Hufanga, said today the cost of the project would not be determined until a team of design engineers come from Japan to conduct a detailed layout study of the site and equipment.
He said that the Preliminary Study Team consisting of three officials and three consultants will return to Japan with their findings and recommendations and will then send the design team later.
Earlier construction
The late king HM King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV opened Phase One of the construction of a new Vaiola Hospital in March 2006. Japan spent $17.7 million on Phase One, which included a new one-storey T-shaped building which accommodates a midwifery unit, a ward for new-born babies, neo-natal intensive care wards, three operating theatres, surgery wards, an x-ray facility and a laboratory.