Results for Health

Ten patients in Tonga have received new pacemakers, in surgeries carried out by a a team of cardiac experts from New Zealand last week at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa. The first time this has been done in Tonga.

Tonga’s first Guideline for Healthy Living and national campaign was launched on 13 April in an effort to tackle the health problems arising out of Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs), which remain the leading cause of deaths with around 70% of deaths annually in Tonga connected to NCDs. MAFF Minister, Lord Fohe, urged Tongans to eat healthier food. He believed it was not impossible to change our lifestyle for a healthier Tonga.

Tonga has lifted the requirement to have COVID-19 vaccination proof for all foreign travellers arriving in the country. Instead, the Ministry of Health and Ministry of Foreign Affair’s Immigration Division will incorporate key surveillance data requirements into one arrival card for passengers to complete on arrival in Tonga.

Three children have died from viral pneumonia caused by an Influenza B outbreak in Tonga over the last 8-9 weeks, the Ministry of Health has confirmed. About 180 cases a week have been reported but this is likely to be an under-estimation of the number of cases in the community, said Dr Siale 'Akau'ola.

Tonga recorded a weekly total of 45 COVID-19 positive cases, the Ministry of Health reported on 3 February. More than 1,000 surveillance tests are being held weekly.

Tonga’s first female Health Minister, Dr. ‘Amelia Tu’ipulotu has been appointed as the new Chief Nursing Officer for the World Health Organisation headquartered is in Geneva.

The Live and Learn Environmental Education programme was awarded US$1.5 million to provide 11,000 children and 2,900 households with access to improved Water, Sanitation, and Hygiene systems in four Pacific Islands. The funding was announced by USAID at the Fa'onelua Convention Centre, Nuku'alofa on 7 December.

The construction of a NZD $1.6 million Tonga Pharmaceutical Facility at Veitongo is on target to be completed by March 2023.

A charity for the disabled, the Mango Tree Centre at Houmakelikao, received donation of $5000 Pa’anga from Princess Angelika Latufuipeka Tuku’aho on 17 October.