By Eleanor Gee

Tonga’s health records will move from paper-based to a digital patient management system starting tomorrow, December 1, after the Prime Minister Hon. Rev. Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa launched the Kingdom’s first National Health Information System (NHIS) this morning at Davina House in Nuku'alofa.

The NHIS digital system will integrate multiple health systems currently in place, including the births and deaths registry. According to the Ministry of Health, this is the first integrated national health information system in Tonga and the Pacific.

The NHIS will allow all patients' medical information to be safely shared and accessed by health care professionals seamlessly, regardless of where they may be across hospitals and health centres throughout Tonga.

The Minister for Health Hon Dr ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu said this represents a huge leap forward for better management, better health care and better health outcomes for Tonga's vulnerable population.

The NHIS will also provide reliable data for health surveillance and reporting purposes.

To address the privacy of personal health information in Tonga, a Personal Health Information Privacy Act (PHIPA) has been drafted and once enacted, will be the first stand-alone legislation to address privacy of personal health information in Tonga.

Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, said the confidentiality of all patient information is a top priority for the Ministry of Health.

“And as we move forward with rolling out this new system, we have achieved a lot towards strengthening an enabling environment for use of digital health data.”

NHIS Project Manager, Walter Hurrell said the project will roll out starting with Vaiola Hospital first, and then on to the outer islands starting with Vava’u in February 2022, Ha’apai in March, ‘Eua in April and then to the Niuas.

“It will take some time for the public and our staff to make a smooth transition from the current practice to the new system. So, please bear with us during this transitional phase.”

Identification

Patients going to Vaiola Hospital starting from December 1 are requested to take a form of identification (National ID, Driver's Licence, Passport or Employment Card) for registration to assist with the transition of their information on paper to digital. Patients will also have their photos taken and on follow up visits, they will be identified using their exact names on the registration, phone number provided, and their photo on the system. However, people will still be treated at the hospital if they don't arrive with their ID's.

The NHIS project cost US$8.5 million with US$7.5 provided by the Asian Development Bank and $1 million from the Government of Tonga.

The funding includes development of the health data policy; the drafting of legislation to protect the privacy of personal health information; a customized health information system for collecting, processing and disseminating health information; as well as extensive capacity building support for the Ministry of Health (MOH) across the Kingdom.

The NHIS is under the Introducing eGovernment through Digital Health project (eHealth project).

The launch was attended by ministers and members of Tonga's diplomatic corps, senior officials of the Government of Tonga, senior staff of the Ministry of Health, civil society and other stakeholders and joining via web-based platforms, were senior management and project staff of the Asian Development Bank (ADB) in Manila, and representatives of various development partners.