DEMOLITION of an old Vaiola Hospital Building started yesterday June 2, when the Princess Regent HRH Princess Pilolevu officially broke a glass window on the 39 year old building that was opened by her father on June 4, 1971.

The old hospital building known as Vaiola Fo'ou or New Vaiola at the time was a major step forward in the development of the health service in Tonga bringing health care, medical services, health administration and wards for inpatients together.

The Minister of Health Hon Dr Viliami Tangi paid respect to the late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV, doctors, nurses and staff who worked during the era of the old building.

He said the demolition would make way for new buildings to meet the needs of the public, "and I am sure it would be further developed by the next generation."

Dr Tangi thanked the Japanese Ambassador HE Yasuo Takase and the Government of Japan for committing a total of $38 million pa'anga for the construction and refurbishment of the final phase of the Vaiola Hospital building project, which included a new Outpatients Department, Dental Unit and Nursing School, as well as a solar power unit.

The demolition work is being conducted by Tafolo Construction Demolition.