Results for Health

Tonga's only paediatrician Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau - disturbed by the fact that too many sick children with heart problems were dying needlessly - set out to find them early with a screening program that has now received international recognition.

"Thank God! I am so lucky," said To'imoana Taufateau (50), recovering this week from open-heart surgery performed at Tonga's Vaiola Hospital. His was one of the emotionally-charged comments made by some of the 14 Tongan heart patients who are recovering from their heart operations performed by a team of specialist surgeons and support staff from Australia, who worked day and night - and even through Sunday's 7.1 earthquake - to treat as many patients as possible during their visit.

CPA Conference

The two young players for Tonga's National Aussie Rules team, who were hit by a vehicle while training at Ha'ateiho on August 20, will never be able to walk again due to serious spinal injuries that have left them paralysed. Paumolevuka Tu'i (18) of Talafo'ou and Mafua Kiokata (22) of Nukunuku, whose aspirations and passion was to play the sport, remain helpless in Vaiola Hospital. The two victims are conscious but are unable to move their bodies and legs.

The Pacific Islands Forum Leaders have officially endorsed Tonga's nominee, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Health, Hon Dr. Viliami Ta'u Tangi, for the post of Regional Director for Western Pacific Region of the World Health Organisation (WHO) through their Communique issued at the end of the 39th Forum meeting in Niue on 20 August 2008.

Violence is a learned behavior. Community violence is a traumatic event that is a bad symptom of something that has reached deep into our society. It is a behavior of citizens who are stressed, who are trying to cope and solve problems. When tragedies like random violence (in Tonga, the events of 16/11, the recent Westpac shooting, an armed robbery and domestic violence shooting) occur, it affects many of us very deeply for several reasons. By Kristi Seymour, LPC, MBA

Three Cancer organizations today received a donation of $500 pa'anga each from the Fe'ofa'aki Foundation, a charity group who assists in the cause of cancer.

Patients in the old Medical and Paediatric Wards of Nuku'alofa's Vaiola Hospital will move into new wards in the new hospital complex in January, the Minister of Health Dr Viliami Tangi said on Friday.

Wearing pink, Tongans have joined in a Pink October campaign to promote awareness of breast cancer, organised by the recently formed Tongan Breast Cancer Society Inc