Results for Health

A study into the source and transmission of typhoid fever, which has been increasing in Pacific countries such as Fiji over the past decade, has revealed that poor sanitation is a major source of Salmonella Typhi, the cause of the disease. Professor Crump, who led the study says the research also highlights the serious concern that Oceania has fallen behind both Asia and sub-Saharan Africa to become the region with the lowest coverage of improved drinking water and improved sanitation.

A gift of new medical equipment and materials from Dongguan City in China were handed over to Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa on June 12.

The Minister for Health, Hon Saia Piukala said today that all main roads on Tongatapu have been cleared of debris and were accessible today. He called on people with leaking taps to fix them quickly to preserve the water supply on Tongatapu. He also warned of water-borne diseases such as diarrhea spreading after the cyclone.

As dengue cases increase to 52 on Tongatapu as of this afternoon, 5 February, a medical officer from the Ministry of Health admitted they lack the ability to treat hemorrhagic dengue because they are waiting to replace a broken centrifuge. By Eleanor Gee.

A national campaign to control the spread of dengue started today as the number of people who have caught the disease climbed to 33 as of this afternoon, 1 February. Schools are waiting for funding to start spraying.

Two ambulances to be used in ‘Eua and Ha’apai were handed over on December 19 to the Ministry of Health from the Government of Japan.

The family of a 4-year-old girl, Tea ('Ungatea) Lolohea – who was severely injured after she was hit by a vehicle on October 6 in Vava’u – are making a public appeal on gofundme and hope to raise $20,000 for overseas treatment.

Breast cancer remains the number one cancer affecting women in Tonga with 12 cases so far from January-July this year, said Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola today at the launch of the Pink October breast cancer awareness campaign. Only two of those cases were detected early through mammogram. "It's only when your cancer is detected early, that we can help you beat this killer disease”

Testing kits that can detect HIV and Syphilis infections using finger prick blood or serum will be piloted in Tonga, Samoa, Kiribati, Palau and Vanuatu, over the next three months starting in September.