There is a need for Western Pacific countries to maintain high coverage of measles vaccination and to increase surveillance of cases at international borders, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala urged, citing a 255% increase of measles cases from 2022 to 2023 in Western Pacific countries. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on earth, spreading easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.
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Results for Health
Monday 4 March 2024
Manila, Philippines
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Wednesday 28 February 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A grant from Tonga Health will support the Ministry of Police's Crime Prevention Group to visit schools and communities to talk to young people and community leaders on the harm relating to excessive alcohol drinking.
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Wednesday 7 February 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new Pharmaceutical and Medical Facility built with New Zealand aid, was officially opened this afternoon by Crown Prince Tupouto'a, with visiting New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Winston Peters and NZ Minister of Health Hon. Shane Reti at Loto-Tonga, Veitongo.
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Thursday 1 February 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Hon. Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola was officially appointed as Tonga's new Minister of Health yesterday afternoon, 31 January 2024 at a Ministerial Appointment, held at his home in Pahu, Nuku’alofa.
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Thursday 21 December 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Vaiola Hospital Matron, Sr Akesa Halatanu, will meet again with the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Saia Piukala, today, to look at a nurses petition that was submitted to the Palace Office yesterday, in a protest to increase the nurses salary.
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Wednesday 20 December 2023
Wellington, Aotearoa New Zealand
A Pacific health advocate, Sir Collin Tukuitonga from Waipapa Taumata Rau, University of Auckland has been made a Fellow by the International Science Council (ISC). Sir Collin joins over 100 Fellows from around the world, were appointed yesterday, 19 December. The Fellowship is the highest honour that can be conferred on an individual by the International Science Council (ISC).
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Monday 25 September 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A team of 48 specialists who volunteered from Open Heart International (OHI) to return to Tonga for their biannual operations, have successfully performed 22 surgeries, after a four years pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Friday 9 June 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Essential medical equipment, including two new ambulances valued at USD320,000 from Japan were handed over to the Ministry of Health today, 9 June, by Japan's Ambassador HE Mr. Kensaku Munenaga.
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Tuesday 30 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A team of surgeons from Interplast Australia and New Zealand is currently performing general plastic and reconstructive surgical services at Vaiola Hospital. The team has returned after three years of border closures.
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Thursday 18 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A team from Interplast Australia and New Zealand returns to Tonga from 25 May to 3 June to carry out general plastic and reconstructive surgical services and training, at Vaiola Hospital. This after three years of absence due to COVID-19 restrictions.
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Wednesday 17 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola has this month completed a total of 37-years as a civil servant with the Ministry of Health, 14-years in which he served as CEO. He was farewelled last week by the Health Minister and colleagues.
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Monday 15 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An additional AUD10 million was committed by the Government of Australia to further improve health outcomes for people in Tonga, with the signing of the Tonga Health Systems Support Program Phase 3 on 15 May.
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Thursday 11 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
This month the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 as no longer a public health emergency of international concern and countries will now transition from emergency mode to managing Covid-19 alongside other infectious diseases. Tonga achieved high vaccination coverage during the pandemic and achieved a low death rate due to Covid-19.
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Thursday 11 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A hearing screening project for class 1 and 2 students on Tongatapu is being carried out by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Rotary Club of Hampton from Australia and Rotary Club Nuku‘alofa.
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Monday 8 May 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ten patients in Tonga have received new pacemakers, in surgeries carried out by a a team of cardiac experts from New Zealand last week at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa. The first time this has been done in Tonga.
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Friday 14 April 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s first Guideline for Healthy Living and national campaign was launched on 13 April in an effort to tackle the health problems arising out of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which remain the leading cause of deaths with around 70% of deaths annually in Tonga connected to NCDs. MAFF Minister, Lord Fohe, urged Tongans to eat healthier food. He believed it was not impossible to change our lifestyle for a healthier Tonga.
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Wednesday 12 April 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There have been no recent deaths reported from the Influenza outbreak in Tonga, confirmed the CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola today. The first cases were reported in the last week of December last year.
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Friday 31 March 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has lifted the requirement to have COVID-19 vaccination proof for all foreign travellers arriving in the country. Instead, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Immigration Division will incorporate key surveillance data requirements into one arrival card for passengers to complete on arrival in Tonga.
Wednesday 15 March 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There have been no recent deaths reported from Influenza B, which peaked in Tonga over the past two-months. The Ministry of Health says cases of influenza-like illnesses going to the hospital to date have slightly decreased. COVID-19 cases have also continued to decrease and remain at a “satisfactory level”. King Tupou VI received his 3rd booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.
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Monday 28 November 2022
Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand’s smoking rate has fallen to a low of 8% of adults smoking daily, down from 9.4% a year ago, statistics released this month showed. The number of people smoking fell by 56,000.
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