Stigma surrounding mental illness in Tonga is the main stumbling block in delivering and improving mental health services here, said Dr Mapa Puloka, who faces many negative or discriminatory attitudes towards mental illness in his work and workplace. In Tonga, stigmatized behaviour towards mental illness includes ridicule (luma‘i), mocking (fakakata‘aki), and neglecting (hanga kehe mei ai).
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Results for Health
Wednesday 23 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Monday 21 October 2024
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Wellington, New Zealand
A research led by the University of Otago, Wellington has found that Tongan-led solutions are needed to overcome barriers to bowel cancer screening, for Tongans living in New Zealand. The bowel screening age was lowered to start at 50 years old for Pacific peoples, which lead researcher Dr. Viliami Puloka, from the University’s Department of Public Health, said is an essential step in increasing the accessibility of the programme.

Friday 11 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
On World Mental Health Day yesterday, Tonga launched a Mental Health and Psychosocial Support Services (MHPSS) program. Ministry of Health CEO, Dr. Reynold 'Ofanoa, said this program is the beginning of a crucial journey to improve mental health and psychosocial support services in Tonga.

Tuesday 8 October 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new mammogram machine was commissioned today, 8 October, at Vaiola Hospital, which will detect early signs of breast cancer for women. “Identifying cancer early means that we can treat and cure cancer,” said Medical Superintendent, Dr. 'Ana 'Akau'ola
Tuesday 1 October 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Early detection of breast cancer through self-examination and mammograms will increase the percentage of survivors, Tonga Breast Cancer Society (TBCS) stated in the launching of the breast cancer awareness month today, 1 October, with theme “Early Detection Saves Lives.”

Wednesday 11 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Over 100 runners took part in Tonga Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) Tonga marathon, on Saturday, 7 September, at Niutōua, which helped raise money for TAWS to order medicines for treating fleas in dogs and cats.

Thursday 5 September 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ngalu Fānifo Regional Project is a Pacific-led project that aims to improve mental health and wellbeing in Tonga and Vanuatu, by strengthening the capacity of health and community providers to provide mental health care. The Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) will led the three-year programme, in partnership with Tonga and Vanuatu Ministries of Health, and funded by the Australian Government.

Tuesday 3 September 2024
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Auckland, New Zealand
A vision aid team from the School of Optometry and Vision Science at the University of Auckland will be visiting Tonga for a week from 30 September to 4 October to provide voluntary eye-care to those who need it the most. The team will be based at the Eye Health Clinic at Vaiola Hospital.

Tuesday 18 June 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A psychiatric nurse died in hospital on Sunday from serious injuries sustained in the psychiatric unit at the Hu'atolitoli Prison. The deceased, Samiuela Mafi, a psychiatric nurse at Vaiola Hospital, was allegedly attacked by a patient on 8 June. In a statement last week, HM Prisons said they lacked the strength to support and guard the unit. Earlier, in March, Tonga's Head Psychiatrist warned that because Tonga had never established a drugs rehabilitation centre the extra workload on the psychiatric ward was beyond the reach of the public health and voluntary services available. By Matangi Tonga reporters.

Thursday 13 June 2024
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Red Cross Society (TRCS) and Ministry of Health will host a blood drive at the Digicel Square in Nuku'alofa CBD, tomorrow, Friday, at 10.00am to mark World Blood Donor Day and encourage voluntary donation of blood. "We want a diverse group of donors to join us, ensuring a reliable blood supply for everyone who needs it," stated TRCS.
Monday 10 June 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Secondary schools in Tongatapu marked the World Food Safety Day 2024 with the theme ‘Food Safety - Prepare for the unexpected', through a Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Forestry programme, that raised awareness of the importance of food safety.

Thursday 30 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A new survey on lymphatic filariasis (kulokula fua) is being conducted in Tonga to follow-up on tests made in the last survey in 2015. The Ministry of Health is collaborating with experts from the University of Queensland (UQ), in investigating lymphatic filariasis by blood testing at schools in Kolomotu'a, Veitongo, Tatakamotonga, Vaotu'u, Utulau, and Sia'atoutai.

Wednesday 29 May 2024
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Geneva, Switzerland
The misuse and overuse of antimicrobials − especially antibiotics − in humans, animals and plants are driving the rise of drug-resistant infections. This makes common infections harder to treat and medical procedures and treatments, such as surgery and chemotherapy, much riskier.

Wednesday 22 May 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Ministry of Health celebrated 30 years of working together with the St John of God Ballarat Hospital, a milestone for their Twinning Program, that has contributed a lot to the Health Ministry in Tonga.

Tuesday 14 May 2024
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Tokomololo, Tonga
A team of New Zealand vets (SPAW) are back in Tonga for the first time this year, to conduct their free veterinary treatments and surgeries on local pets and animals at the Tokomololo Veterinary Clinic.

Wednesday 3 April 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Ahead of World Health Day on 7 April, the World Health Organization (WHO) announced the launch of S.A.R.A.H., a digital health promoter avatar, powered by generative artificial intelligence (AI) to help answer health questions online. Sarah has the ability to support people in developing a better understanding of risk factors for some of the leading causes of death in the world, including cancer, heart disease, lung disease, and diabetes.

Friday 22 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The unmanaged drugs issue in Tonga is becoming “a new normal”, says Tonga's Head Psychiatrist, Dr. Mapa Puloka, who is seeing illicit drug-related disorders making up 40% of monthly admissions to the psychiatric ward. With mental health impacts skyrocketing, there is no one available to pick up the pieces. From the frontline, both Mapa and the Salvation Army counselor Mele Prescott are lonely voices urging government to establish a drugs rehabilitation center in Tonga, as they see families and communities being broken by the mental health impacts of illicit drugs use. Interview by Katalina Siasau.

Sunday 17 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Vaiola Hospital wastewater and sewerage system will be upgraded with the help of the Australian government - providing $2 million (AUD) to support the project.

Saturday 2 March 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga ranked number one worldwide as the country with the most women with obesity, according to a study released by the well-known medical journal, the Lancet. Nine out of the top ten countries with the most women with obesity in the world, are Pacific island countries. Some 81.5% of Tongan women over the age of 20 are living with obesity, an increase of 23.3% from 1990.

Wednesday 28 February 2024
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A grant from Tonga Health will support the Ministry of Police's Crime Prevention Group to visit schools and communities to talk to young people and community leaders on the harm relating to excessive alcohol drinking.
