Tonga's CoViD-19 supplies due on Thursday [1]
Tuesday, April 21, 2020 - 18:12
The second CoViD-19 testing machine and testing kits are among medical supplies due to arrive in Tonga on Thursday, 23 April on an Air New Zealand flight.
Acting Medical Superintendent Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola confirmed today that the second batch of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) ordered from Australia and other essential medication will also be on the flight.
Meanwhile, a third CoViD-19 testing machine (GeneXpert) donated by the World Health Organization and The Pacific Community (SPC) is due to reach Tonga at the end of April or May.
“It should have already arrived but there is a shortage of medical equipment around the world due to CoViD-19.”
The GeneXpert machine is capable of running 3,300 tests at the same time.
Dr ‘Akau’ola said WHO, UNFP, and SPC were also supplying other medical equipment, including oxygen concentrators and sterilizers to Pacific Island countries who are members of the SPC.
“We would like to thank them for supporting us with preventative measures to combat CoViD-19 should it reach Tonga.”
Dr ‘Akau’ola confirmed they have also ordered five ventilators, which may take up to 12 weeks to arrive via New Zealand.
Essential equipment received
So far, Tonga has received one CoViD-19 testing machine and a new digital x-ray machine, which arrived with 36 hospital beds donated by a Tongan family last week by container ship.
Personal Protection Equipment (PPE) was also received last week via an Air New Zealand flight.
The digital x-ray machine is the first of its kind here in Tonga, said Dr ‘Akau’ola.
The x-ray will most probably be based at the Mu’a Health Centre and used on CoViD-19 patients.
“The reason we bought this machine is so we don’t have to physically send away the x-ray film because the CoViD-19 virus is able to survive on certain surfaces for days.”
“When x-rays are taken, the film can be scanned and emailed to Vaiola Hospital to be assessed by doctors.”
Mu'a Health Centre
The Mu’a Health Centre renovation work has been completed by His Majesty’s Armed Forces (HMAF). The centre will be dedicated only to people who are suspected or confirmed to have CoViD-19.
The construction team from the Ministry of Health will now work on the final phase and start installing equipment at the centre.