Prime Minster Hon Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa was examined by Chinese medical professionals this morning, 3 January, at the Tanoa Hotel in Nuku’alofa. The PM seemed pleased as he left the hotel after speaking with the medical practitioners in the lobby.

The Chinese team are offering free medical examinations to members of the public and hotel staff today and tomorrow.

This is the third medical group to come to Tonga under a two-year volunteer program, where they work on a six-month rotation basis. The team includes an anesthesiologist, ultrasound technician, laboratory doctor, emergency doctor, ophthalmologist (eye doctor), and a psychiatrist.

Anesthesiologist, Zhang Ning, told Matangi Tonga this is the first time the team had been to Tonga, working mainly at Vaiola Hospital, and they found Tongans to be very friendly,

“Last year we went to Vava‘u for two weeks only because there are not many people there.” The team have been in Tongatapu for nearly six months, leaving in February when another team arrives.

While working at Vaiola Hospital, Zhang said they found that a pathologist was needed, and the next round of medical professionals to come to Tonga would include one.

The team come from different cities and hospitals in the Shandong coastal province of China.

Chen Zhi Ning, Manager of the Tonga Tang Dynasty Travel, based at the Tanoa Hotel, organized the group to work from the hotel. He said people should make the effort to be examined. 

“It is important for people to have a medical checkup, especially for the Tanoa Hotel staff, to ensure they are healthy, particularly as they are around tourists every day.”

He said there were no major medical issues with the people who were examined already.