By Matangi Tonga reporters

A psychiatric nurse died on Sunday from serious injuries sustained in the psychiatric unit at the Hu'atolitoli Prison on 8 June.

The deceased, Samiuela Mafi, a psychiatric nurse at Vaiola Hospital, was working at the prison psychiatric unit on 8 June, when he was attacked, allegedly by a patient.

The Minister for Health Hon. Siale ‘Akau‘ola told parliament this morning, that the nurse had passed away on Sunday 16 June, from his injuries. He told MPs that the Health Ministry had spoken with the family of the deceased on the severity of the injuries.

The Minister promised to conduct an exhaustive review on the work of those involved in mental health care and at the hospital's ward at the Hu‘atolitoli Prison.

Earlier, in March, Tonga's Head Psychiatrist, warned that because Tonga had never established a drugs rehabilitation centre the extra workload on the psychiatric ward was beyond the reach of the public health and voluntary services available. In an interview [2] with Matangi Tonga, Dr Mapa Puloka said “I don't think the Government prioritizes the need for an illegal drugs and alcohol center here in Tonga!"

Prison lacks manpower

Meanwhile, HM Prisons, in a statement released on 12 June, said that the Psychiatric Unit at Hu'atolitoli Prison is an extension of, and remains under the administration of, the Psychiatric Ward of Vaiola Hospital.

“Their psychiatric patients are assessed by their staff and transferred by their request to our care, where high-risk patients are then guarded by prison officers and the others remain under the care of mental health practitioners at the Psychiatric Unit.”

The unsigned statement from the Administration Office, published on HM Prisons official FB page, said the prison is a high risk environment where prison officers endure threats daily, and they lacked the manpower to support the unit.

"We have been trying to advise the government that we are outnumbered, and with little success," HM Prisons stated.

"We may have been able to assist the Psychiatric Unit if we had the strength to man all stations. We do not have the ratio to support the Unit and guard high-risk inmates in our prisons who are of sound mind to escape and violate others rights with intent."

The press release titled "Assault at the Psychiatric Unit, Hu'atolitoli Prison,” stated that the incident occurred on 8 June at about 4:00pm when an inmate and psychiatric patients were drinking kava outside the psychiatric unit, at Hu'atolitoli Prison. The inmate (a former policeman) was an assigned orderly to the psychiatric unit to maintain the property and help care for the patients as part of their rehabilitation program.

The press release summarized details of a statement taken by prison staff from a witness.

“There were two nurses on shift at the time, Mr. Mafi was in the office and the other was away.”

The statement described how Mr Mafi left the office to check on a commotion between two patients. It alleged that when Mr Mafi retired to one of the tearooms he did not lock the door. The patients were not locked in their dormitory.

It was alleged that a patient had returned to the tearoom and used an instrument to assault Mr. Mafi.

As a result, Mr. Mafi was taken to Vaiola Hospital with serious injuries.

The patient suspect was transferred to the care of the male prison as a high-risk inmate.

MPs to attend funeral

In Parliament this morning, MPs by ballot agreed to delay the House sitting on the day of the nurse's funeral, when confirmed, so they could attend to pay respects to the family.

This was proposed by People's Representative for Tongatapu 7, Piveni Piukala, and supported by the Prime Minister and Government table.

Police

Meanwhile, there has been no statement available from Tonga Police regarding any charges related to the death of the nurse.

See also:

https://matangitonga.to/2024/03/22/unmanaged-drugs-issue-new-normal-tong... [2]