THE $36.1 million final phase of the Vaiola Hospital begins this month with the construction of a new outpatients department, accident and emergency unit, dental clinic, pharmacy, specialist clinics and nursing school, which are expected to be completed in March 2012.

A groundbreaking ceremony was held on October 20 by the Princess Regent HRH Princess Pilolevu Tuita for the final phase of the reconstruction and refurbishment of Vaiola Hospital, entirely funded by a Grant Aid from the Government of Japan.

The Minister of Health Hon Dr Viliami Tangi wholeheartedly thanked the Government and people of Japan for their generous grant aid. He said that when finished Vaiola would be among the best in the Pacific.

A new two-storey building will accommodate the Accident and Emergency Unit, Outpatients Department, Specialist Clinical Department, Pharmacy, Administration and Maternal and Child Healthcare. Other buildings would include a Dental Unit, the Queen Salote Nursing School and other facilities.

A Japanese company NPK will supply, install and refurbish the hospital with new equipment.

Health

The Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Yasuo Takase in his address said that health is a priority area for Japanese assistance to Tonga and Vaiola Hospital plays a central role in providing health services to the people of Tonga.

He said this project is the second grant assistance by Japan to the hospital following Phase 1 that was completed in 2007. Both projects cost at total of $3 billion yen, which is roughly TOP$66 million pa'anga.

There are also 28 Japanese volunteers assisting in the hospital's capacity building efforts.

Solar power

He said a key feature of the project is the provision of a solar power system that will provide approximately 20 percent of the total daytime energy consumption for the hospital aligning itself with the Tonga Energy Road Map, he said.

He said Kitano Construction would work with Tongan constructors and people on the project. "And I believe this will have some positive effects on the Tongan economy as well as the Tongan technology in the construction field," he said.

"I sincerely hope that the new hospital buildings and equipments provided will be utilised and maintained most effectively and properly and further contribute to improving the health of the Tongan people."

The demolition of the old Vaiola Hospital building was done in June this year after 39 years of service.