King Tupou VI opened the new Princess Fusipala Hospital in Ha’apai this morning, November 6. 

The hospital replaces the Niu’ui Hospital that was damaged by Cyclone Ian (Category 5) in 2014, and was relocated to higher ground as part of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) supported Climate Resilience Sector Project.

ADB joined the Government of Tonga and other development partners to open the hospital at its new location. 

Minister for Health, Dr 'Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu said the relocation of Ha’apai’s hospital was “a living and breathing example” of the multiple benefits that may be gained for building public infrastructure better.

“The new location is much less vulnerable to disasters and safer for patients, staff, and visitors.”

Tropical Cyclone Ian was the most powerful storm ever recorded in Tonga’s waters and passed directly over Ha’apai on 11 January 2014, affecting 66% of its population.

Niu’ui Hospital lost part of its roof and, given its close proximity to the eroding coastline, it was found that the hospital was more vulnerable to disasters than previously thought.

The hospital was moved to the highest point of the island through the project, and built to be more resilient and bigger with new features including a 500,000-liter rainwater storage tank and x-ray facilities.

ADB Regional Director of ADB’s Pacific Sub-Regional Office, Mr Masayuki Tachiiri stated extreme weather in recent years in Tonga has caused severe flooding and drought.

“Sea level rise is also contributing to coastal erosion, putting infrastructure and property at risk.”

He said ADB remained committed to helping Tonga and other Pacific developing member countries build resilience to natural disasters.

The Climate Resilience Sector Project also included enhanced climate resilience of additional schools in the outer islands, and construction of evacuation roads on “Eua and Tongatapu.

It introduced a sustainable financing mechanism to ensure vulnerable communities would have access to climate-responsive community investments vital to livelihoods.