Results for Dr Siale 'Akau'ola

The Ministry of Health celebrated 30 years of working together with the St John of God Ballarat Hospital, a milestone for their Twinning Program, that has contributed a lot to the Health Ministry in Tonga.

Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola has this month completed a total of 37-years as a civil servant with the Ministry of Health, 14-years in which he served as CEO. He was farewelled last week by the Health Minister and colleagues.

Tonga’s first Guideline for Healthy Living and national campaign was launched on 13 April in an effort to tackle the health problems arising out of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which remain the leading cause of deaths with around 70% of deaths annually in Tonga connected to NCDs. MAFF Minister, Lord Fohe, urged Tongans to eat healthier food. He believed it was not impossible to change our lifestyle for a healthier Tonga.

There have been no recent deaths reported from Influenza B, which peaked in Tonga over the past two-months. The Ministry of Health says cases of influenza-like illnesses going to the hospital to date have slightly decreased. COVID-19 cases have also continued to decrease and remain at a “satisfactory level”. King Tupou VI received his 3rd booster dose of COVID-19 vaccine.

Tonga recorded only four COVID-19 positive cases last week, said the CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola.

‘Eua has of this week had 19 active COVID-19 cases. They are in home isolation and doing well, said Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola. He encouraged those who are still not vaccinated or have not had boosters to do so, advising the public not to be complacent because COVID is still here and there are still different variants abroad.

Around 36,800 AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccine doses from COVAX, funded by Japan, would arrive in Tonga today, said Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola this morning.

Tonga will rely on advice from WHO on the COVID-19 passport matter, said Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola this week. Other countries are exploring the issue of COVID-19 passports as well.

Tonga is finalizing its National Deployment and Vaccination Plans to access CoViD-19 vaccines from the COVAX Facility, and initial quantities are expected to be announced soon. Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola said COVAX is assessing the readiness of participant countries, who will have to make a contribution if they want vaccination coverage of their population to be increased. Meanwhile, some other Pacific countries have started their vaccination programmes.