Dialysis treatment is currently unavailable in the country despite around 200 people being diagnosed with chronic kidney failure each year, and about a third of those needing such treatment.
This week the Tonga Dialysis Foundation said it has waited for over a year for a government letter of support so private funders could release finances to open a clinic in the country.
Ministry of Health CEO Siale 'Akauola said the majority of kidney disease cases develop from diabetes.