Tonga's Prime Minister, Lord Tu'ivakano, was admitted to hospital in New York for an emergency procedure late on the night of Saturday 28 September after suffering from acute chest pains.

His wife Lady Robyn Tu'ivakano said that the emergency happened at 11:00pm when the Prime Minister retired for the night at the Tonga High Commission. He was rushed to Bellevue Hospital, New York, and was attended by a cardio doctor for treatment of what was understood to be a blocked main heart valve.

“He is now being monitored 48 hours and he is recovering,” she stated.

Sources close to the family said it was known that the Prime Minister had farewelled King Tupou VI at the airport, when the king was leaving New York on his way to London.

Meanwhile, the Prime Minister's Office in Nuku‘alofa said late this afternoon that they would be issuing a press release soon. They confirmed that Lord Tu'ivakano had been admitted to hospital in New York, but believed that he had recovered and was fine now. They were waiting for official confirmation of his condition from New York, before issuing a further statement.

Earlier report

Lord Ma'afu, the acting Prime Minister told the house this morning that Lord Tu'ivakano had suffered "a mild stroke." He appealed for the Members of Parliament and for the people of Tonga to pray for the fast recovery of the Prime Minister.