A new community project, the Tonga Private National Health System, which will help deliver a wide reaching health information system, was officially opened by HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho via Skype on 19 April, in Nuku’alofa.

The opening was attended by the Acting Speaker of Parliament, Lord Tu'ilakepa, and Minister for Education and Training, Hon. Penisimani Fifita, as well as the Board of Directors Committee, who held their first meeting following the opening.

Tonga is looking to partner with an Australian Company, Gemba360, to establish the project to strengthen and support key services, with the aim of improving social, health and educational outcomes for Tonga

Princess Latufuipeka said the project will address concerns raised by King Tupou VI last year at the official opening of the Legislative Assembly, across health (tackling non-communicable diseases), improving education and supporting economic development.

“These concerns are shared by the Tongan Government. Tongans have a fundamental human right to food security, health, and education, made accessible in any part of Tonga,” she said.

Goals

Under the Health Ministry, the project will build smarter information systems.

Under Education, the project will deliver online training aids, home school services, and lead to the development of a Tonga National University.

Under the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the project will support Seasonal Workers to undertake health screening, and provide legal support in Tonga and in Australia.

The project will also create new jobs and offer on-the job-training to up-skill Tongans.

In the long term, Nihal Samara, General Counsel and Legal Director of Gemba360, said that Tongans will have a pathway to build better services. He said the reason Gemba360 is involved in this project is because its core service is delivering ICT and legal services, and that they support the Pacific Health Information Network in some 22 countries. 

The Board of Directors Committee for the Tonga Private National Health System includes four government ministers, three ministry CEOs and others:

Minister for Health,
Minister for Education,
Minister for Internal Affairs,
Minister for Information and Communication,
CEOs Education, Health, and Internal Affairs,
Government Statistician,
Community representatives,
Gemba360 representatives.

Other members who have been invited include HRH Princess Latufuipeka Tuku’aho as Chairperson, and the Minister for Defence.

The project is scheduled to start on 1 July 2018.