Editor,

The Ha'afeva Health Clinic is currently facing a real problem with transportation of its emergency case patients to the Niu'ui Hospital in Pangai. The problem is inappropriate, unreliable, and unsafe mode of transportation for the patients. I have observed and experienced this problem for many years now. I have been hoping that the Government of Tonga would do something about it, but what's the big deal, we are just little island people. The only time it remembers us is when it wants our women to weave a big " fihu fatu fa " and for our men to bring fishes, a large pig, and yams for its functions and celebrations. Perhaps Lulunga is going to get a boat soon but I am still waiting for signs. In this letter, I am going to share an experience of mine with regards to the problem that is currently affecting the health care of the people of the Lulunga islands.

In one of my visits to the islands, I had a chance to accompany a very sick patient from Ha'afeva to Pangai. Because of the emergency nature of the case, we did not have too much of a choice but to use a small ill-equipped outboard motor boat to do the job. Despite the adverse weather conditions, we gently laid the patient in the middle of this small boat. With a blanket around his sickly body, he crouched up in a foetal position, cold, and wet from the sprays of the waves. He was shivering, moaning, and groaning continuously with much pain during the whole trip. It was a real struggle and almost unbearable to face such a pitiful and monotonous sight for more than 4 hours. The night was pitch dark and not a single star to be seen in the sky. The irregular whistlings of the winds were somewhat irritably interrupted by the moans and groans of this poor man. The waves continued to beat our little boat from all sides as it went up and down with the angry waves; it surely was a bumpy ride all the way. As this little boat fought its way through the waves, I began to think about the story of the " Little Train " : " I know I can! " " I know I can! " " I know I can! " as it slowly puffed up the steep slope to the top of the mountain. And yes, at the break of dawn, we finally did " I know I can " and arrived at Pangai with our patient still breathing.

This transportation problem is a very pressing one for the people of the Lulunga group. I have a feeling that the outer islalnds of Vava'u do have the same problem as well. I think the main ingredients of a solution to this problem is safety and time is of essence. Time of transportation can mean the difference between life and death. If no transportation is available, this may also mean death to the patient because she/he is unable to recieve the proper medical care. The Church of the Latter Days Saints were helping out with transportation of the patients to Pangai, but the Health Clinic didn't live up to its end of the bargain: to pay for the gas only, so that assistance was terminated. I do believe that all Tongan citizens do, under the Constitution, have equal rights to life and good quality medical care. I am continuing to feel that my poor folks from the islands are spun a raw deal here. Somehow, I feel that there is a total and reckless disregard for the importance of human life in the outer islands. There is insufficient effort done by the Health Department and/or the Government on this problem. They may present a lot of excuses to justify their positions, but my justification is still " one soul is more important than the whole world."

Yours sincerely,

Siosaia Fatani.

sstuakoi [at] yahoo [dot] com