Results for Health

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.”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

Two medical officers from Vaiola Hospital are receiving 11 weeks of pathology workforce training, in the pathology laboratory at University Hospital Geelong, Australia, hosted by the Royal College of Pathologists of Australasia (RCPA).