Results for Health

The number of confirmed or suspected measles cases in Tonga had climbed to 177, at 5 November, with most cases experiencing a mild illness, according to the latest health situation report released on 6 November.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed 107 people have been confirmed or suspected to have contracted measles as at 28 October in Tonga with mild symptoms. An extra 2500 doses of MR vaccinations have arrived in Tonga on 29 October to top up stock levels. Measles is highly infectious.

Students from seven kindergartens in Tongatapu gathered to celebrate Global Hand Washing Day today, 15 October, under the theme “Clean Hands for All”. A simple behavioural change - hand washing with soap - is one of the simplest and most effective ways of preventing the spread of diseases.

A pilot scientific population survey is being held in certain districts of Tongatapu, starting on October 2-6 that could help determine the dog population, now estimated to be around 20,000.

A team of 35 medical professionals from Open Heart International (OHI) in Australia are currently in Tonga performing open heart surgery on locals with rheumatic heart disease. The lead surgeon stressed that Tongans need to try and prevent acute rheumatic fever, a disease that occurs from having tonsillitis that is not treated with antibiotics early enough.

A second regional workshop by the Japan International Cooperation Agency and its partners is being held in Nuku'alofa from August 28-30 aimed to find practical ways to combat Non Communicable Diseases.

Nurses at Vaiola Hospital impressed the World Health Organisation (WHO) Director General, Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus with their singing during a ceremony to welcome him this morning, 9 August, so much, that he invited them to Geneva, Switzerland next year.

Some Tongans with serious heart conditions may miss out on life changing heart surgery, because medical staff at Vaiola Hospital have been unable to contact them by telephone. Dr Loutoa Poese today urged missing patients, who had been identified with heart conditions, to contact the clinic urgently, because the Open Heart International team arrives from Australia soon.

Tonga is among the latest group of countries to join the Alzheimer’s Disease International (ADI), the umbrella organization for Alzheimer’s and dementia associations now in 100 countries globally.