Results for Health

A 26-year-old pregnant woman who died on Monday, July 20 has been confirmed as Tonga's first death from swine flu, according to the Director of Health Dr Siale 'Akau'ola today. The woman's baby was saved.

A solar panel system is being planned for Vaiola Hospital that could see a 30 per cent cut in the hospital's electricity bills, which presently runs at around $40,000 per month.

Tonga's Ministry of Health is not taking any chances of a swine influenza outbreak in Tonga, and has begun screening international visitors arriving at Fua'amotu International Airport.

A 25-year-old policeman Pilitati Ohi who fell from a coconut tree at the Vaini Police Station will never be able to walk again due to serious spinal injuries that have left him paralysed from the neck down.

Maile Mataele (17) passed away at 11am today - the fifth victim of a road accident that claimed the lives of four other Liahona High School boys on the school's gradation day a week ago.

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.