Results for Health

Food sales and food-related gatherings in Hofoa have been restricted, starting from 27 January until 27 March 2026, the Ministry of Health announced this week, as part of their preventative measures to contain the spread of typhoid fever.

Two cases of typhoid fever confirmed in Tongatapu this week are currently under investigation by the Public Health Division of the Ministry of Health, which is urging the public to practise good personal hygiene. The patients, two males aged 17 and 21 from the same household in Hofoa, were admitted to Vaiola Hospital on 16 and 17 January. They were confirmed as typhoid cases on Wednesday and Thursday and are now reported to be in stable condition.

HM Queen Nanasipau’u and Princess Eliana presented gifts to the Paediatric Ward at Vaiola Hospital, including new furniture, colorful sofas, chairs, a child-sized table and a gift basket for the young patients.

In Tonga, six to seven cervical cancer deaths are recorded annually, caused by the Human papillomavirus infection (HPV). Awareness and early vaccination can protect girls but, at the moment, only 62% of Tonga's eligible girls are vaccinated.

"Breast cancer affects many families in our community, and this cause is close to our hearts,” said the Country Head of ANZ Tonga, David Dudley, today, in presenting a donation of $6129 to the Tonga Breast Cancer Society Inc. to help promote early detection of breast cancer in Tonga. The donation was raised by ANZ-Tonga staff.

The dengue fever outbreak in Tonga has ended as the number of cases has declined, with no cases recorded over the last two consecutive weeks, the Ministry of Health announced today. Over 900 cases were reported, with three deaths from dengue during the five months outbreak.

The Ministry of Health is pushing to increase HPV vaccination coverage this week, particularly in Tongatapu, where health officials have noted community resistance. This initiative aims for long-term cervical cancer prevention. Currently, the national HPV vaccination coverage stands at 57%, and the ministry aims to get 80% coverage by the end of the year. Adolescent girls aged 10 to 14 years, who are the primary recipients of the HPV vaccine.

The Tongan Government is refusing to pay a USD$1 million ransom demanded by hackers who have seized control of the National Health Information System for nearly two weeks, the Minister for Police and Cyber Security, Hon. Piveni Piukala told a media briefing today, 26 June, at the St. George Government Building in Nuku’alofa.

Tonga’s National Health Information System is a victim of hackers who are demanding a ransom from the Tonga Government to release the nation’s medical records and health plans, the Minister of Health revealed this afternoon.