Photos by Linny Folau

King Taufa‘ahau Tupou IV yesterday morning, March 23, made his first public appearance in Tonga this year when he made a speech at the opening of Vaiola Hospital's new wing, but the 87-year-old monarch who has been infirm, appeared to become distressed during the ceremony and was taken away by his concerned attendants.

In a short heartfelt opening address the king had thanked the Japanese Government for their generous aid of $17.7 million to finance Phase One of the Project for Upgrading and Refurbishment of the Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa.

The King had returned from New Zealand on Saturday March 18 where he had been living since December last year, and undergoing medical check ups by New Zealand doctors.

The king was scheduled to tour and inspect the new hospital wing, but he left straight after he made his speech looking very uncomfortable and in pain. During the ceremony he was constantly being massaged by his bodyguard and attendants, who looked seriously concerned about the king's condition.

After the king left, Queen Halaevalu Mata‘aho then officiated the opening of the new hospital building and toured the wards with Princess Pilolevu Tuita, the Japanese Ambassador to Tonga HE Mr. Masashi Namekawa, the Acting Prime Minister Hon. Fred Sevele and the Minister of Health Dr Viliami Tangi. Other guests included cabinet ministers, overseas dignitaries, diplomats and the hospital staff at the Vaiola Hospital.

Phase One includes a new one-storey T-shaped building which houses a midwifery unit, a ward for newly born babies, neo-natal intensive care wards, three operating theatres, surgery wards, an x-ray facility and a laboratory. The surgery wards include three air-conditioned private rooms, and a private suite with its own bathroom.

The Japanese grant was also spent in the construction of two other detached buildings, a new mental health ward, and a kitchen and laundry facility.