Recipients of the 2013 Tonga Health Dr Tapa Scholarship Awards from left, Malia Folau, Siosaia Fe'ao and Sitaleki Tausisi. Nuku'alofa, Tonga, January 18.

Three Tonga Health-Dr Tapa Scholarships to study public health in Fiji were awarded on Friday January 18.

Malia Folau (33) of Tatakamotonga, Sitaleki Tausisi (18) of Nakolo, and Siosaia Sevaki Fe'ao (25) of Haveluloto will study for their Bachelor and Diplomas in Public Health at the Fiji National University in Suva.

The Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola presented the awards in a ceremony attended by former Minister of Health Dr Viliami Tangi, Tonga Health CEO Iemaima Havea, and medical officials at the Tonga Health Office in Vaiola.

This is the second year that the Tonga Health Promotion Foundation has awarded scholarships named in honour of a former Minister Health, Dr Sione Tapa.

Dr Tapa is understood to have donated over $1 million pa'anga to the foundation in his wish that it would be used to promote a healthier lifestyle for Tongans. Dr Sione Tapa who is in his late 80's lives in Kolonga, Tongatapu.

Awards

Tonga Health set up the annual scholarship in public health and last year awarded the first scholarships to two recipients who are currently studying public health in Fiji.

"The scholarship provides not only an opportunity for Tongans to study in this important field but it will develop public health prevention work force capacity in Tonga," said a spokesperson from Tonga Health.

Successful scholars are expected to return to Tonga to apply their knowledge and skills towards helping the people of Tonga lead healthy lifestyles.

Applicants had to demonstrate previous academic achievement, a passion for health promotion and disease prevention and community development.