By Pesi Fonua
Tonga is preparing to counter the anticipated impact of the CoViD-19, which could be devastating if it arrives here. While the hospitals in all island groups are training staff and preparing as best they can, they are all patiently waiting for the arrival of special medical equipment and Personal Protective Equipment (PPEs).
Tonga's outer islands have very small and vulnerable teams of medical professionals.
Niu'ui Hospital / Princess Fusipala Hospital, Pangai, Ha’apai:
- 2 Doctors
- 15 Nurses
In the Ha'apai Group, Dr ‘Amone Vaka’uta said that the medical staff are preparing for CoViD-19. At the top of the list of their needs is the medical equipment and Personal Protective Equipment, that has been ordered by the Ministry of Health.
They are waiting for the arrival of the protective gear.
He said that at this stage of their preparation, they have been divided into three working groups. “The front-liner group is made up of five nurses, and they will be recycled with the others.”
Dr Vaka’uta said that they had two suspected CoViD-19 cases recently, after one of them had run away from quarantine in Tongatapu. But both were now cleared and released.
“We don’t have any coronavirus suspected cases at the moment, but we are treating our patients as though they have been affected, so we have been operating as though we have been invaded by the coronavirus.
“We are drilling to be ready for when it arrives,” he said.
"We are currently on stand-by for our new hospital. If out of the blue, there will be a surge, then we have to go into the new hospital.
"The problem with the new hospital is that there is no facility to quarantine the staff.
“There will be rooms to accommodate the patients, but not the medical staff,” he said.
Ngu Hospital, Neiafu, Vava’u
- 5 Doctors
- 30 Nurses
Dr ‘Elisapeti Lavakei’aho, the doctor in charge of the Ngu Hospital in Neiafu, Vava’u, said that they are doing the same preparation process that has been carried out in Tongtapu.
There have been no CoViD-19 suspected cases in Vava’u.
However, Dr Lavakei’aho said that she is very concerned with the unavailability of medical equipment and Personal Protective Equipment.
“We are waiting for our share to arrive. Hopefully, it will get here before COVID-19”
‘Elisapeti is convinced that a spread of the virus in Tonga will depend on how Tongatapu manages the testing of people who arrive from overseas in Tonga, before they are allowed to travel to the outer islands.
If the virus does manage to get through these defences, then Vava'u has designated a place to isolate cases.
The Ministry of Health strategy is for new arrivals in Tonga, to be placed into quarantine in Tongatapu before they are allowed to travel to the outer islands groups.
Niu‘eiki Hospital Angaha, ‘Eua
- 1 Doctor
- 10 Nurses
The health service in ‘Eua is under the care of one doctor and 10 nurses. The island is closer to Tongatapu and its base hospital than the other island groups.
Niuatoputapu & Niuafo‘ou
Likamonu Health Centre and Hospital, Hihifo
- 1 Doctor (Niuatoputapu)
- 1 Health Officer (Niuafo'ou)
The one doctor who is based in Niuatoputapu, is responsible also for Niuafo’ou, located over 200km away by boat.
