The Government of Japan has today committed a total of $38 million pa'anga to Tonga, for construction that includes a new Outpatient Department, Dental Unit and Nursing School, and solar power for Vaiola Hospital in Tongatapu.

The funding was formalised today with the Signing of the Exchange of Notes on the Project for Upgrading and Refurbishment of Vaiola Hospital Phase II between Acting Prime Minister and Minister of Health Hon Dr Viliami Tangi and the Japanese Ambassador in Tonga HE Mr Yasuo Takase in Nuku'alofa.

The project comes under a Japanese Grant Aid Scheme aimed at assisting recipient countries in their economic development and social welfare.

Also included are renovations to essential infrastructure facilities such as the water and electrical supply system. The project would see the installment of solar panels that would provide 20 per cent of the hospital's daytime electricity.

Dr Viliami Tangi sincerely thanked the Government of Japan and its people for financing the final phase of the Vaiola project. He anticipated that construction would begin this year and be completed by March 2012.

"This is a very important project for Government and the people of Tonga because Vaiola is Tonga's main hospital and I hope that the construction would begin in the next few months," said the Minister

Health and environment

The Japanese Ambassador stressed that one of the priority areas in Japan's assistance to Tonga is health and Vaiola Hospital plays a central role in providing health services to its people as its top hospital.

He said the centerpiece of the project is the two-storey building in which the Outpatient Department would be housed and the provision of a solar power system to the hospital.

Environmental issues are another priority area in Japan's assistance to Tonga and this project addresses both health and environmental issues, said the ambassador.

$439 million in aid

He noted this year marks the 40th Anniversary of Diplomatic relations between Japan and Tonga. During this period up to March 2009, Japan has provided to Tonga economic and technical assistance amounting to $22.4 billion yen, the equivalent of TOP $430 million pa'anga.

"I am particularly pleased that this grant aid project is a wonderful commemoration of this 40th anniversary."

The Grant Aid Agreement was also signed between the Acting Prime Minister and Mr Nariaki Mikuni, the Deputy Representative of JICA from Fiji.

Earlier construction

In Phase one of the Vaiola Upgrade and Refurbishment Japan spent $17.7 million for the project. It included the construction of a new one-storey T-shaped building that now accommodates a midwifery unit, a ward for newborn babies, neo-natal intensive care wards, three operating theatres, surgery wards, an x-ray facility and a laboratory.

The late King Taufa'ahau Tupou IV opened the first part of the hospital in 2006.