Medical treatment

The Prime Minister who has taken frequent trips to New Zealand for medical reasons, returned to Tonga at the weekend, and participated in an early Government birthday presentation to the King yesterday.

Yet, observers claim he looked quite ill.

It had been confirmed earlier that Mr Pohiva's illness is liver disease.

"He was checked recently in Auckland whether he should have surgery, but obviously he was released to be able to travel back to Tonga," the source said.

'Akilisi Pohiva was in Auckland last month before returning to Tonga briefly.

The prime minister told local media he's been advised by his doctor to avoid any intensive mental activity.

The cause of Mr Pohiva's ill-health has not been revealed.

Meanwhile Matangi Tonga reports Mr Pohiva saying King Tupou VI was right to say, during the opening of parliament last week, that the government has no vision for economic development.

Mr Pohiva says his government has failed to spell out its plan clearly.

Among them are Tongans requiring life saving medical treatment like dialysis. While kidney disease is a common ailment in Tonga, treatment isn't publicly available there.

Renal specialist in Auckland Dr Viliami Tutone said the number of non-residents from the Pacific he treats was definitely on the rise.

Dr Tutone, who is a Nephrologist, said it was a tough and sad reality.

"We do have our fair share at Middlemore of non-residents," he said.