Results for Ministry of Health

The number of people contracting measles has started to decline with fewer new cases being reported. The Ministry of Health said 14 new measles cases were reported this past week, with 10 from Tongatapu and 4 from Vava‘u. This is much less than the 37 new measles cases reported two weeks ago and 46 the week prior. A total of 18,431 vaccinations have been administered as of 13 December.

Access to quality drinking water in Tonga depends on where you live, and what you can afford. A new laboratory to be opened on December 12 will help Public Health inspectors assess the quality of drinking water, particularly from village supplies.

The number of confirmed or suspected measles cases in Tonga had climbed to 177, at 5 November, with most cases experiencing a mild illness, according to the latest health situation report released on 6 November.

Tonga's Ministry of Health today issued a Measles Alert after 13 members of a Tongan school rugby team developed measles after returning from New Zealand this month. Measles is a highly infectious disease and the public is urged to be vigilant for symptoms and to get immunized, especially if they are traveling overseas.

A range of equipment to help the Ministry of Health support emergency services in times of disaster, was gifted by Japan today, under its Non-Project Grant Aid (NPGA) program.

The Minister for Health, Hon Saia Piukala said today that all main roads on Tongatapu have been cleared of debris and were accessible today. He called on people with leaking taps to fix them quickly to preserve the water supply on Tongatapu. He also warned of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea spreading after the cyclone.

Tonga, rated as one of the highest smoking countries in the world, where 46% of men and 13% of women smoke - and half are expected to die from it, has launched an intensive anti smoking campaign today.

Medical equipment worth nearly $1 million pa’anga, including incubators and mobile xray units to support improved health services at Vaiola Hospital, was handed over by the Japanese Ambassador HE Mr Yukio Numata, on Thursday 4 February.

A dengue fever outbreak was today declared by the Ministry of Health, who have confirmed 33 cases of dengue fever across Tonga.