The Tongan Nurses Choir was given the World Health Organization Director General Award after performing through a video at the opening of the 73^rd World Health (WH) Assembly, to mark the International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, on 9 November in Geneva, Switzerland.

Opening of the resumed 73rd World Health Assembly on 9th November 2020:
https://www.facebook.com/WHO/videos/633152050714801 [2]
go to 30:30 for Tongan Nurses Choir performance "We are Family"

This was after the Director General awarded HRH Princess Muna Al-Hussein of Jordan with the same award for her dedication and service to health and humanity and her tireless support over six decades for nurses and midwives.

In his opening remarks at the WH Assembly, Director General Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus said in this International Year of the Nurse and the Midwife, we have become even more acutely aware of the incredible contribution that nurses and midwives make, from the first moments of life to the last.

He thanked the Tongan Nurses Choir for their wonderful performance.

“I have such fond memories of my trip to Tonga and other Pacific nations last year, and I want to assure you of my strong commitment to small island developing states and the challenges you face.”

I’m sorry we weren’t able to have you in person here in Geneva – but even from the other side of the world, you have lifted our spirits and touched our hearts, like you did when I was there last year, he said.

“So, it’s with great pleasure that I also bestow on you the Tongan Nurses Choir, the Director-General’s award.”

In the earlier video [3], the Minister for Health Hon Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu, introduced the choir to the assembly with “the message of healing and hope to the world during this...challenging time”.

The nurses performed in traditional Tongan dress as well as in their nurses’ uniforms, singing ‘Let the Light of God Shine’, composed and arranged by Andrew S. Baker.