From the House

By Pesi Fonua

TThe Tongan Parliament Whole House Committee passed the Nurse Bill on 26 March, to allow practiced nurses to prescribe medication for patients.

The committee's decision was a break through after three days of deliberation with some members being uncertain if it was right to allow nurses to prescribe medicines.

Under the Tongan Law, only qualified doctors are allowed to prescribe medication.

But it is a known fact that one could wait for hours in any outpatients, in any hospital in Tonga before one could see a doctor.

The Minister of Health, Lord Tu'I'afitu, reassured the House that there is a board responsible for the registering of qualified nurses and the members of the board are made up of doctors and qualified nurses. Only registered qualified nurses will have the authority to prescribe medication.

The Minister stressed that these practiced Nurses are only allowed to prescribe Class One and Class Two medicines, which are for the treatment of minor illnesses.

Dr Sitiveni Halapua, the People's Representative No. 3 for Tongatapu also stressed the point that under Class One and Two medicines, these are the types that one could buy in any pharmacies overseas.

"For any specialized treatment, one will have to see a qualified doctor or a specialist," said Sitiveni.

He also pointed out that according to the Ministry of Health annual report about 60% of people who are waiting in the outpatient to see a doctor, are for minor cases, such as headache, skin rash and other minor health concerns that she or he could either buy a treatment for it from a pharmacy or a Practiced Nurse could write them prescriptions to get free medicines from the government pharmacy.

The Nurse Bill 2014 was passed unanimously 17-0, voted in favor by all members of the Parliament Whole House Committee