Results for Health

Tonga currently has an increasing number of cases of Dengue serotype 3, while Samoa and American Samoa have increasing numbers of Chikungunya, and there are current Measles alerts in the Western Pacific in Papua New Guinea, Federated States of MIcronesia and the Solomon Islands. The alerts can be seen on a new web-based map of the ‘Epidemic and emerging disease alerts in the Pacific region' launched recently by the Secretariat of the Pacific Community (SPC).

Widespread coverage by Pacific immunisation programmes is a significant reason why deaths to children under the age of five have dramatically declined in the Pacific countries and territories. But there are still too many children who are not fully vaccinated and not only are they at risk, but they tend to be in groups who are susceptible to an outbreak, warns Dr Karen Allen, the Representative of the United Nations Children’s Fund in the Pacific, at the start of World Immunisation Week, today.

“Foul” is the only way to describe a container-load of around 10 tonnes of rotten chicken, dumped onto a picnic spot on Tongatapu’s scenic Hufangalupe coastline last week. The maggoty mess has disgusted locals and remained a stinking issue this morning.

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.

Free medical services are being provided this week to some of Tonga’s isolated islands through a floating health care clinic, under the Sea Mercy programme .

Scientific and public health experts including Tonga's Chief Surgeon and former Minister of Health Lord (Dr) Viliami Tangi is part of a new Scientific and Technical Expert Group of the Secretariat of the Pacific Community's Public Health Division that met in Noumea on June 17-18.

The Australian Government has given the Tongan Government a generous $8.7 million pa’anga boost to support salaries and service delivery in the health and education sectors.

Tonga's pubic servants have launched a year-long programme to combat non-communicable diseases and to create healthier workplaces in an effort to "build a healthier quality public service for Tonga".

An Australian medical research scientist, Dr Tu’uhevaha Kaitu’u-Lino, has been recognised for her work in women's health and recently chosen as a Victorian Tall Poppy, an award for excellence in scientific research and communication.