King Tupou Vi and the Ambassador of Japan to Tonga, HE Mr Yasuo Takase

Photos by Linny Folau and Peter Poulsen

King Tupou VI proudly opened the Vaiola Hospital's building, built under a $40 million pa'anga final phase redevelopment, with assistance from Japan, that has given the people of Tonga a hospital facility of an international standard.

The redevelopment of the old dilapidated hospital began over a decade ago through a major collaboration between several development partners. The Government of Japan was a major donor for the Vaiola Redevelopment Project that included three phases, starting in 2004.

The completion of the final phase, included the main building at Tofoa, which accommodates an outpatients department, accident and emergency ward, special clinics, pharmacy, dental services, hospital administration, a mortuary, a multipurpose hall, a building for the Queen Salote School of Nursing and a public car park.

"I would like to thank the Government and people of Japan for a beautiful and final phase of the development and refurbishment of Vaiola Hospital," said King Tupou VI in opening the facility

The king said that it was a day to rejoice and he was proud that the completion of the development and refurbishment had raised the hospital facility to an international standard.

The King noted that the opening of the hospital coincided with the birthday of the late King George Tupou V on May 4.

He said it was important for Tonga to find a way to ensure the sustainability of the new hospital for future generations.

King Tupou VI said that continuity and forward thinking was important. "In a way, both health and education can ensure the continuity of our children for the future of our country, continuity of our cooperation with our aid partners, and continuity of the challenge for our future generation to excel," he said.

He acknowledged the presence of a former Health Minister, Dr Sione Tapa, at the event.

Japan's assistance

The Japanese Ambassador to Tonga, HE Mr Yasuo Takase, said that health remained one of the priority areas in Japan's development assistance to Tonga, and that he hoped that the hospital building and equipment could be utilized and maintained properly.

He said Vaiola hospital played a pivotal role in providing health services to the people of the Tonga. The upgrade and refurbishment cost about  $66 million pa'anga, combining the first and final phase through Japan's assistance.

"Two years have passed since I signed and exchanged notes for the Japan grant with former Minister of Health Lord Tangi in May 2010," he said, and noted that the progress of the construction work had been one of the attentions for him especially for after the tragic and devastating Great East Japan Earthquake on 11 March 2011.

In good humour, he said that the project was done accordingly to plan "and not in the Tongan time", which stirred laughter among guests.

King Tupou VI and Queen Nanasipau'u at the opening of the new Vaiola Hospital

The Ambassador also commended the builders, including the Tongan construction workers under the supervision and technical advice of the Japanese companies Nihon Sekkei and the contractor Kitano Construction Cooperation.

During the construction, Kitano employed more than 230 workers a day, at its peak. And he said that the project was a good opportunity to experience the quality and standard that Japanese companies request and hone their skills towards achieving them.

"This grand opening is one of the most memorial events during my tenure as the first resident ambassador of Japan to Tonga, and one of the most historical milestones for the health sector in Tonga and Japan’s development project."

"I hope that the hospital buildings and equipment will be utilized and maintained most effectively and properly, and further contribute to the improvement of health of the people of Tonga," he said.

Modern hospital

A former Minister of Health, Lord Tangi, said that the new hospital buildings, clinics and modern equipments, made Vaiola hospital the most modern and well equipped health infrastructure, in the Pacific islands, thanks to Japan.

The previous Vaiola Hospital began operation in 1971, and over the years it had deteriorated to a point that needed immediate development.

This was recognised by the Tongan Government in 1998, and started the work through a major collaboration between several development partners and the Government of Tonga, including World Bank, Australia and Japan.

The groundbreaking ceremony for the final phase was held in October 2010 and the construction work followed on the same month.

The king accompanied by Queen Nanasipau'u inspected the new building and facilities.