A reliable and resilient electricity supply is important for health workers, even more so now during the stresses of CoViD-19. In a hospital a power cut could be life-threatening for some patients.
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Results for Health
Wednesday 15 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga

Tuesday 14 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is looking at more repatriation flights to bring nationals home from low risk countries, but the cost of quarantine for repatriated passengers over a three-month period is estimated to be around $1 million pa’anga, the Ministry of Health CEO Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola conjected today. Some 2600 people have registered for repatriation to Tonga.

Monday 13 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A large secured motorcade with all the emergency services that Tongatapu could muster, delivered the first 58 repatriated Tongans to the Tanoa International Dateline Hotel this afternoon. Tonga is protecting its CoViD-19 free status.

Monday 13 July 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga is ready to receive its first repatriation flight from Fiji today, with 58 passengers expected to land at Fua’amotu International Airport at 12:45pm on a Fiji Airways flight chartered by the Tonga government.
Wednesday 8 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A repatriation flight for Tongans who have been stranded in Fiji, is now scheduled to arrive in Tonga on Saturday, with up to 60 passengers. But questions remain over Tonga's policy that requires passengers to have CoVid-19 testing done in Fiji before they board the flight.

Wednesday 8 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has renewed its State of Emergency, extending it for another month, from 8:00pm July 8 until 8:00pm August 4, Tonga's Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa declared this afternoon.

Tuesday 7 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A few tests performed to ensure Tonga’s CoViD-19 machines are working, came back negative, confirmed Ministry of Health CEO, Dr Siale ‘Akau‘ola.

Tuesday 7 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Medical equipment assistance valued of around USD1.5 million will be provided to Tonga by Japan, after an Exchange of Notes was signed on July 6.

Monday 6 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tongan government is chartering a Fiji Airways ATR72 aircraft to repatriate 58 Tongans who have been stranded in Fiji since Tonga locked down its border on 23 March 2020. They aim to bring them home on Thursday July 9.

Thursday 2 July 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Tonga Animal Welfare Society (TAWS) has been busy providing much needed animal care advice since opening to the community last month in Nuku’alofa.

Thursday 25 June 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Although Tonga remains CoViD-19 free, the Minister of Health told a WHO Global Forum that government expects the CoVid-19 virus to come into Tonga when the border reopens. She said Tonga is doing its very best to prepare for that.

Monday 22 June 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The water lens reservoirs supplying households in the Hihifo District are safe, Silia Leger, said today, after the lens reservoirs were tested for E Coli last week. However, Tonga's first State of the Environment Report released this month, underscores a continuing concern with sanitation and poorly managed septic tanks that can leak into water supplies.

Friday 19 June 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tests for CoViD-19 can now be processed in Tonga in a new laboratory extension which was officially opened today by the Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa at Vaiola Hospital in Tongatapu. By Eleanor Gee.

Monday 15 June 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
The Australian Government has contributed AUD$1.9m to community organisations in Tonga earlier this month, to provide safe water supply, teach hand hygiene, and support agricultural development to protect against the impact of CoViD-19.

Thursday 11 June 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga has extended its State of Emergency for another month, from 8:00pm 11 June until 8:00pm 8 July, the Prime Minister Hon Dr Pohiva Tu’i’onetoa declared this afternoon. In addition, the CoViD-19 restrictions have been extended from 8:00pm 11 June to 8:00pm 8 July. The night curfew now starts an hour later at 12:00am to 5:00am, with mass gatherings still limited to 50 people indoors and 100 people outdoors.
Friday 29 May 2020
Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Tonga's CoViD-19 restrictions have been extended from today 8:00pm tonight 29 May until 11 June, the Tongan Government announced today. The restrictions have eased further with a shorter night time curfew from 11:00pm to 5:00am. Borders remain closed up to June 12.
Wednesday 27 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
A pallet of sweet smelling, vanilla infused hand sanitizers made by Heilala Vanilla in New Zealand, were donated to Vaiola Hospital today, 27 May, to assist in keeping Tonga safe from CoViD-19. Vanilla extract made by the company from Tongan grown vanilla has similar common ingredients as sanitizer—ethanol and glycerin, and they were able to make the new products.

Monday 25 May 2020
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Geneva, Switzerland
Tonga's Minister for Health Hon Dr ‘Amelia Afuha’amango Tu’ipulotu was elected Rapporteur on the World Health Organisation’s (WHO) Executive Board during its 147th virtual meeting on 22 May.

Wednesday 20 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Medical supplies from China, including infrared thermometers, personal protective equipment, and hand sanitizer gels, were donated to the Ministry of Health on May 19, at Vaiola Hospital, to help Tonga prepare for CoViD-19.

Tuesday 19 May 2020
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Nuku'alofa, Tonga
Preparations get Tonga ready to combat CoViD-19 should it reach the kingdom, are progressing slowly. The Ministry of Health reported delays in the construction of a specialised CoVid-19 testing laboratory, and they are waiting more protective gowns and overalls, and an oxygen generator. The Ministry is still working on a quarantine policy for future incoming passengers.
