New hospital for Niuatoputapu [1]
Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - 15:11. Updated on Tuesday, April 5, 2016 - 16:37.
A contract to start the construction of a new hospital and a three bedroom staff quarter on Niuatoputapu was signed on April 4 2016, with over $2 million funding by the European Union. The project follows the 2009 tsunami that destroyed the hospital, homes, and businesses on the remote island.
Dr ‘Aisake Valu Eke, Minister for Finance and National Planning and the EU’s National Authorising Officer in Tonga, said that he was grateful to the EU for the financial assistance to build the hospital and the staff quarter.
“This project will certainly enhance the provision of health services in Niuatoputapu, which is one of the most remote islands of Tonga. Of equal importance, it will contribute to the objectives of the Ministry of Health’s Corporate Plan which should in turn contribute to Tonga’s Strategic Development Framework (TSDF),” he said.
The project was awarded to Puloka Construction Group Ltd. who also rebuilt private homes affected by the tsunami on the island under a project funded by the World Bank.
Construction of the new hospital is expected to be completed in 12 months.