Results for Ministry of Health

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.

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.

Tonga’s first female Health Minister, Dr. ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu has been appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer for the World Health Organisation headquartered is in Geneva.

Alcohol misuse has contributed to several road deaths in Tonga. Now, new alcohol breathalyzer devices presented to Tonga Police in December will help frontline officers to detect and remove more drunk drivers and maintain safety on roads.

Chief Dental Officer, Dr. Fakakovikaetau and Dr. Sisilia Fusi Fifita, Oral Pathology Specialist, became the first Tongan dentists to be inducted as Fellows of the International College of Dentists in Christchurch, New Zealand.

The new COVID-19 variant BA.5 has been confirmed in Tonga, after the re-opening of our border on 1 August, CEO of the Ministry of Health, Dr Siale 'Akau'ola said.

Three repatriation flights from Australia, New Zealand and Fiji are expected to arrive in Tonga on June 29 and 30 with more than 500 passengers.

Tonga's prime minister has called for a collective effort to tackle the leading cause of death and disability in Tonga - heart disease, diabetes and some cancers - in a National Non-Communicable Diseases Strategy for 2021-25 launched on 7 June.