Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola has this month completed a total of 37-years as a civil servant with the Ministry of Health, 14-years in which he served as CEO.

He was farewelled by the Health Minister Hon Dr Saia Piukala and colleagues on 12 May, at the Queen Salote Memorial Hall. 

A focal point in Tonga's health sector, Dr 'Akau'ola told Matangi Tonga that although he is relieved, he feels honoured and privileged to have been given the opportunity to lead the Minsiry of Health (MOH) for so many years.

“As CEO for Health, I was always aware that it is a position with major responsibilities, since expectations of the public have always been relatively high for services provided by MOH in general. Thanks to better informed public, especially with better access to health information through the internet.

“So a lot of work that I focused on was to provide the relevant quality outputs expected but at the same time to try and manage expectations to fit in with what we could afford to deliver, as a small, vulnerable, developing island state.

“As I leave MOH, I feel that MOH team is stronger and more resilient with the health system strengthening the initiatives that have been going on for past couple of years. Corporate services are better, providing better support to the leadership and governance roles of CEO office."

He said there had also been improvements in health system components of infrastructure, medical equipment/medicinal drugs supply; budget/finance and  procurement processes; human resources development; health information; and service delivery to cover the spectrum of health promotion/prevention, curative, rehabilitation and palliative care. 

"I am also pleased that MOH in the last couple of years had set its goal as the achievement of “Universal Health Care for better health outcome, with no catastrophic financial burden on people”. All planned activities done by MOH were linked to this goal to ensure there was equity of access, quality, efficient, accountable and resilient health services available to everyone."

“When Covid-19 arrived in Tonga, we already had a strengthened health system, which was able to withstand  the shocks we faced quite well,” he said.

"Of course, the timely arrival of extra logistical support by development partners was only possible because MOH's planning team were able to develop at short notice, a good plan, identifying  gaps in capacity/capability, which convinced partners to chip in and provide necessary support.

“This led to further strengthening of the health systems. In fact, we feel that MOH's health systems overall are now stronger after the Covid19, than what it was pre-Covid."

In regards to the future, “I need to rest and relax,” he said.

In 2019, Dr ‘Akau’ola was re-appointed by the Public Service Commission as Health CEO for four-years starting on 16 May. This was his fourth consecutive term in the top job, since being appointed in 2009.