A new mammogram machine for Tonga will be purchased with support from the Australian Government, the Australian High Commissioner, HE Rachel Moore, said during a joint press conference with the Prime Minister, Hon Hu’akavameiliku today, 31 October 2023.

The machine will be purchased next year at an estimated cost of AUD250,000. A mammogram is x-ray imaging used by doctors to detect early signs of breast cancer.

Vaiola Hospital’s previous mammogram stopped working at the beginning of the Covid-19 border closures in 2020. This led to three years of the hospital not being able to run tests for women and men in Tonga.

Breast cancer has remained the most common cancer in Tonga for both women and men.

Dr ‘Ana ‘Akauola said that prior to the Covid-19 pandemic, the statistics of Tonga's mammogram tests showed an average of 30-35 women were diagnosed with breast cancer annually. However, in 2019 the rate dropped to only 20 confirmed diagnosed cases.

“This machine will help prevent the possible deaths caused by breast cancer, it will detect cancerous tumors before it’s even formed,” she said. Once detected, the diagnosed patient can receive treatment as soon as possible.

HE Rachel Moore said Australia was proud to partner with Tonga to support the new machine. Australia has a twenty-year partnership with the Ministry of Health to strengthen health services in Tonga.

"This is another great example of working with the Prime Minister, Health and Finance Ministries to address the priorities of the people," she said.

The High Commissioner thanked the individuals in Tonga who had raised awareness of breast cancer during the activities for Pink October.