The right to good health for all people is more important than ever. Countries in the Western Pacific need to accelerate action towards universal health coverage, the World Health Organization (WHO) stated on World Health Day in April. By 2048, an estimated 21 million people in the Western Pacific are expected to die each year from NCDs, accounting for nine out of 10 deaths in the region. Nearly one in four children over the age of 5 years and nearly two in five adults in the Western Pacific are now overweight or obese.
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Results for Dr Saia Piukala
Monday 15 April 2024
Manila, Philippines
Friday 12 January 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
After 20 years as a public servant, nine years as Tonga's Minister of Health, Hon. Dr Saia Piukala, bid Tonga farewell today, as he leaves to take up a new role as the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific Region Office.
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Friday 4 August 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new dialysis centre under construction in Tonga, is expected to be completed in April next year, the Minister of Health, Hon Dr Saia Piukala, said today. There are about 50 patients in Tonga who urgently need the dialysis treatment and they will be the first to get treatments, when the dialysis centre opens, he told a media briefing at the Prime Minister's Office.
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Tuesday 30 May 2023
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Geneva, Switzerland
Tonga was represented by the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Saia Piukala at the 76th World Health Assembly held in Geneva, Switzerland from 21-30 May.
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Thursday 9 February 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga recorded a weekly total of 45 COVID-19 positive cases, the Ministry of Health reported on 3 February. More than 1,000 surveillance tests are being held weekly.
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Wednesday 16 January 2019
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
While Ministry of Education officials are saying, unofficially, that Cabinet last week approved for the Transport Sector Public Enterprise to take over the management of the Tonga Maritime Poly-Technical Institute from the ministry, the staff of the Polytech have not been told what's going on.
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Wednesday 18 January 2017
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Health problems in the Pacific Islands today stem from poor government leadership, poor education, and not taking care of our environment, says Sione Tu'itahi who attended the World Health Organisation’s 9th Global conference that was held in Shanghai, China for 2016.
Tuesday 15 November 2016
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
"Use antibiotics responsibly" is the theme of a World Antibiotics Awareness Week launched in Nuku’alofa on Monday, November 14 to raise awareness about the serious health issue of antibiotic resistance. Tonga's doctors pointed out that misuse of antibiotics is not only dangerous but also costly and urged Tongans to adopt better hygiene to help fight the spread of infectious diseases.
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Wednesday 3 February 2016
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan Parliament today was struggling with a multitude of problems: reporting five cases of the Zika virus; worrying about an over-weight population with a shorter life expectancy; realising that education was not making people smarter; and noting a palpable frustration among the people that had even led to threats on the life of the Prime Minister Hon. 'Akilisi Pohiva. From the House, by Pesi Fonua.
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Monday 24 August 2015
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tongan fruit pickers are taking part in two leadership and training programs launched on Monday, 24 August in Nuku'alofa.
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Monday 17 August 2015
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga’s four medalists at the Special Olympics World Summer Games in Los Angeles were warmly welcomed home at Fua’amotu International Airport on Saturday, 15 August.
Wednesday 9 October 2013
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Taniela Halahuni (22) has made a remarkable recovery from a coma after sustaining severe head injuries during a violent attack by Tupou College students at a Tofoa home in July.
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