Results for Health

“Investing in climate-resilient health facilities is not a luxury. It is a lifeline,” Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala warned. “We urgently need accessible and equitable climate-health financing for the Pacific. Current funding is simply insufficient to meet the unique needs of these Small Island Developing States. I am here at COP29 to help change that,” he said in the keynote speech in a side event at COP29’s Moana Blue Pacific Pavilion on Friday.

Diabetes, heart diseases, respiratory diseases and cancer have become common “NCDs” in Tonga, Dr. Viliami Puloka told the first National Non-Communicable Diseases Forum, held in Nuku’alofa this week. NCDs can't be cured. “The best time to look after your health is when you’re healthy,” he said.

Early detection of breast cancer through self-examination and mammograms will increase the percentage of survivors, Tonga Breast Cancer Society (TBCS) stated in the launching of the breast cancer awareness month today, 1 October, with theme “Early Detection Saves Lives.”

There is a need for Western Pacific countries to maintain high coverage of measles vaccination and to increase surveillance of cases at international borders, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr. Saia Ma’u Piukala urged, citing a 255% increase of measles cases from 2022 to 2023 in Western Pacific countries. Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on earth, spreading easily when an infected person breathes, coughs or sneezes.

A new Pharmaceutical and Medical Facility built with New Zealand aid, was officially opened this afternoon by Crown Prince Tupouto'a, with visiting New Zealand Deputy Prime Minister the Rt. Hon Winston Peters and NZ Minister of Health Hon. Shane Reti at Loto-Tonga, Veitongo.

Vaiola Hospital Matron, Sr Akesa Halatanu, will meet again with the Minister of Health Hon. Dr. Saia Piukala, today, to look at a nurses petition that was submitted to the Palace Office yesterday, in a protest to increase the nurses salary.

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.

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.

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.