Tonga's Ministry of Health has received 263 wheelchairs, walkers and other walking aids donated by the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter-day Saints, and handed over on 4 May. 

The container which arrived from China was received by the CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola, presented by Elder 'Inoke F. Kupu of Area Seventy and Sione Langi, Director of Communications Tonga, who represented the church.

Elder Kupu said the church's humanitarian assistance is worldwide to many organisations, and this is part of the church's continued support over the years to the Ministry of Health.

Siosaia Vakasiuola of the hospital's Rehabilitation Department acknowledged this generous donation.

He told Matangi Tonga that this container is part of a program funded by the church's humanitarian services. The church funds and provides the wheelchairs and walking aids and the Ministry does the assessment and delivery of the wheelchairs, walkers and other walking aid to homes.

There were six different types of wheelchairs donated, worth around $100,000 pa'anga he said.

"We want to inform the public that if their walking aid and wheelchairs are broken they can bring it because we have spare parts to repair them."

“This is the fifth such container of supplies received by the Ministry. We have distributed to Tongatapu, Vava'u and Ha'apai and are surveying 'Eua for distribution. We have yet to reach the two Niuas,” he said.

Meanwhile, this container took about three months to arrive in Tonga, after it was approved by the church leaders in Utah in February, due to COVID-19.

“It has been a long wait but it is finally here,” said Vakasiuola.