The first International Conference for Tongan Nurses was officially opened by HM the Queen Mother Halaevalu Mata'aho, at the Janfull International Dateline Hotel yesterday evening, March 10.

The gathering is the first of its kind for Tongan nurses since introductory nurse training in Nuku'alofa, started in 1920.

The inaugural conference brought nurse back to Nuku'alofa, with 150 coming from throughout Tonga, 70 from the Tonga Nurses Association New Zealand and 10 from Australia.

The theme, "Nursing the Noble Profession: Navigating the Realities of Tongan Nurses" for the two-day conference at the Fa'onelua Convention Center, aims to empower nurses through exchanges of ideas and learning from each other's experiences.

The organisers stated that the program also provides a platform for nurses to re-examine their roles and relationships with others. It is also offers an opportunity for Tongan nurses to advance their profile to reach international standards, and give participants the opportunity to report on the achievements that have been made by Tongan nurses.

The Organizing Committee anticipated that at the end of the conference nurses would have a better understanding of health services in different countries; and identify areas where nurses in different countries could help each other, develop collaborative projects and solidify an international communication network.

The idea for an International Conference for Tongan Nurses was initiated by the Tonga Nurses Associations New Zealand two years ago, and after discussion with their counterparts in Australia they eventually approached the Tongan Nurses Association to co-host the conference. Yesterday, it was a dream come true for students nurses, working nurses and retired nurses who gathered in Nuku'alofa for their historical get together.

Fongoloa

The development of nursing profession in Tonga, according to Sela Paasi, the president of the Tonga Nurses Association, dates back to 1920 when the first nursing school was established at Fongoloa, Fasi mo e Afi before it was relocated to the old Vaiola Hospital, and eventually to where it is today within the compound of the new Vaiola Hospital at Tofoa.

In 1970 the Queen Salote Nursing School was established followed by the formation of the Tonga Nurses Association in 1978.

The Tonga Nurses Association became a member of the Commonwealth Nurses Federation in 1987.