A team of 48 specialists who volunteered from Open Heart International (OHI) to return to Tonga for their biannual operations, have successfully performed 22 surgeries, after a four years pause due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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Results for Health
Monday 25 September 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Friday 9 June 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Essential medical equipment, including two new ambulances valued at USD320,000 from Japan were handed over to the Ministry of Health today, 9 June, by Japan's Ambassador HE Mr. Kensaku Munenaga.

Tuesday 30 May 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A team of surgeons from Interplast Australia and New Zealand is currently performing general plastic and reconstructive surgical services at Vaiola Hospital. The team has returned after three years of border closures.

Thursday 18 May 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A team from Interplast Australia and New Zealand returns to Tonga from 25 May to 3 June to carry out general plastic and reconstructive surgical services and training, at Vaiola Hospital. This after three years of absence due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Wednesday 17 May 2023
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Nuku'alofa, 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.

Monday 15 May 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
An additional AUD10 million was committed by the Government of Australia to further improve health outcomes for people in Tonga, with the signing of the Tonga Health Systems Support Program Phase 3 on 15 May.

Nuku'alofa, Tonga
This month the World Health Organization declared Covid-19 as no longer a public health emergency of international concern and countries will now transition from emergency mode to managing Covid-19 alongside other infectious diseases. Tonga achieved high vaccination coverage during the pandemic and achieved a low death rate due to Covid-19.

Thursday 11 May 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A hearing screening project for class 1 and 2 students on Tongatapu is being carried out by the Ministry of Health in partnership with the Rotary Club of Hampton from Australia and Rotary Club Nuku‘alofa.

Monday 8 May 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ten patients in Tonga have received new pacemakers, in surgeries carried out by a a team of cardiac experts from New Zealand last week at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa. The first time this has been done in Tonga.

Friday 14 April 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
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.

Wednesday 12 April 2023
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
There have been no recent deaths reported from the Influenza outbreak in Tonga, confirmed the CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola today. The first cases were reported in the last week of December last year.

Friday 31 March 2023
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has lifted the requirement to have COVID-19 vaccination proof for all foreign travellers arriving in the country. Instead, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Immigration Division will incorporate key surveillance data requirements into one arrival card for passengers to complete on arrival in Tonga.
Wednesday 15 March 2023
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Nuku'alofa, 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.

Monday 28 November 2022
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Wellington, New Zealand
New Zealand’s smoking rate has fallen to a low of 8% of adults smoking daily, down from 9.4% a year ago, statistics released this month showed. The number of people smoking fell by 56,000.

Thursday 24 November 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The construction of a NZD $1.6 million Tonga Pharmaceutical Facility at Veitongo is on target to be completed by March 2023.

Wednesday 23 November 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Efforts made by schools to promote healthy living were recognised with the presentation of awards today. The 'Apiako Ma'a Lahi 2022 accreditations recognised primary, middle schools, and high schools who have established vegetable gardens and healthy eating programs.

Friday 18 November 2022
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Abu Dhabi, UAE
King Tupou VI in Abu Dhabi this week, visited the Imperial College London Diabetics Centre, to ascertain the potential of a partnership in addressing Non-Communicable Diseases in particular diabetes and related illnesses. The King shared his hope that his people could one day access such services in Tonga.

Thursday 29 September 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
After two-years and six-months, Tonga has lifted most of its COVID-19 health restrictions, including that for international travel and the national curfew, effective from 27 September. The border has now fully re-opened, with a requirement for foreign adults to provide proof of vaccination before arrival.

Monday 22 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
New Zealand has committed $4.8 million funding to develop Tonga’s resilient health workforce, the New Zealand Minister of Foreign Affairs, Hon. Nanaia Murata announced last week, meeting with the Minister of Health, Dr. Saia Piukala and frontline healthcare workers.

Tuesday 2 August 2022
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's current night time curfew - midnight to 5:00am - due to COVID-19 remains but will be re reviewed this month, after Government approved the incremental border re-opening on 1 August.
