Another stage of rebuilding Tonga's dilapidated base hospital, Vaiola Hospital, in Nuku'alofa, has begun with the signing of a contract for the building of a new wing, which is expected to be completed in 15 months.

This Phase B2 of the Redevelopment Project of Vaiola Hospital is funded by a USD$6.1million loan from the World Bank.

The construction contract was signed on August 2 between Yasunori Takasi of the Kitano Construction and the Tonga government's Director of Health Dr. Litili ...‘Ofanoa at Vaiola Hospital.

Sunia Soakai, the Project Manager of the World Bank Health Sector, said the scope of works would include the construction of a new two storey building for the paediatric and medical wards, an isolation ward, a new ramp, lift, stairs and chapel, a roofed corridor, a medical gases house, road works, covered ways and circulation, and external recreational areas. The wing will accommodate 186 beds and the construction is scheduled to finish in the next 15 months.

He said that the Redevelopment Project of Vaiola Hospital, which began in 2000, is divided in seven packages and will cost a total of USD$30.5 million.

Phase A, the construction of the psychiatric ward, funded by a $4.1 million loan by Government from the World Bank, has been completed. Also completed was phase B1 the construction of the obstetric and surgical ward, a midwifery unit, neo-natal intensive care wards, three operation theatres, an x-ray facility and a laboratory, funded by a Japanese aid of USD$9.7million.

Demolition of the existing ward block and the construction of a new Accident and Emergency facility, an outpatient ward and an administration office will come under a future Phase C.

Phase D is the demolition of the existing obstetric ward and operating theatre and the renovation of the existing laboratory. Followed by in the next phase of the renovation of the existing pharmacy, radiology and public health sector.

The last phase will be the renovation of the nursing facility, staff accommodation, mortuary, kitchen, laundry room and installment of fuel storage.