Tonga

The Sister In-charge of the Emergency Division – Sr. Lolita Kupu says Vaiola hospital has recorded more than 8000 patients in June with 80% cases being affected with mumps and flu. 

Radio Tonga reports Health official, Dr. Viliami Vao is urging the public to be more cautious as elderlies and young children are the most vulnerable section of the population at this stage. 

The cause of flu is mainly from the negative impacts of the weather changes which causes- headaches, cold and aching with high fever. 

Now, an expansion of the country’s netball development program has engaged new communities, and brought the unique style of ‘island netball’ into the mainstream.

After enduring a 24-hour ferry journey to reach Tonga’s capital, Nuku’alofa, the Vava’u netball team appear remarkably energetic as they step out for their first ever match on a standard court.

Vava’u, one of Tonga’s outer island groups, is known for its clear waters, white sand beaches, and for being one of the best spots in the Pacific to swim with whales.

It is also home to a unique form of netball.

In a statement released this afternoon, the Ministry confirmed that the stock of Ordinary Passports is running low and this may cause some delay in getting passports issued.

The Ministry says it is taking the matter seriously and is pursuing every possible means to replenish the stock to normal levels.

Kaniva News quoted a spokesperson from the Foreign Affairs Ministry as saying the shortage is regrettable and the ministry doing all it can to minimise the inconvenience experienced by the public.

The next stock of new passports is expected to arrive mid-October.

Temporary passports are available at TOP$57.

The temporary travel document is hand written and not machine-readable.

The World Health Organisation announced last month had won its battle against the mosquito borne disease also known as elephantiasis.

It leads to severe disfigurement, pain and disability and had at times affected up to 50 percent of the Tongan population, according to the WHO.

Reynold 'Ofanoa said Tonga's drug and assessment programme was worth it.

The siren donated by Japan was installed at the TCC mast, 25 metres from the ground. 

The Director of NEMO, Leveni 'Aho said such crime was not carried out by one person, because it will take time to climb up the mast and steal the siren. 

Police say it is believed the siren was stolen to be used as amplifier in a vehicle.  

Radio Tonga reports the siren is part of an early warning system trial programme to warn the public of any natural disaster such as a tsunami. 

Aho said Tonga could lose funding support from donors because of such behaviour.  

The money was collected through fundraising activities which started at the end of 2015 in Tonga and in the US.

Fiji Times reports construction work will be on its land located on Laucala Bay Rd, opposite the University of the South Pacific (USP).

It is known to Tongans as Apitonga, which means "home for Tongans".

Suva Tongan church steward Kisione Finau said they decided to construct a new building because the current one was really old.

The new ferry has an average speed of 24 miles per hour, which is similar to the MV Maggie that operated in Tonga last year.

MV Maui was initially meant to arrive in Tonga during the Royal Agriculture show last month but was deferred for technical reasons.

The vessel is estimated to cost about TOP$1.7 million and is being jointly funded by the people of ‘Eua and a loan from the Tonga Development Bank.

According to the Chairman of the ‘Eua Sea Transport Council, Paula Vehituai, the ferry departed Auckland for Nuku’alofa and arrived on the weekend.

The increase approved on 4 August is effective from 1 July, 2017.

A statement from the Prime Minister’s Office says this is the first salary adjustment applied for the Ministers since their admission to their respective positions.

In 2015, His Majesty’s Cabinet resolved that it was only the Civil Servants that would be awarded with a 5% COLA.

The Ministers’ similar entitlements were put on hold for now two years.

Savieti is one of 15 young women who participated at a Human Security Peace Education consultation held yesterday (Monday 14th August) in Nukualofa.

The event was led by femLINKpacific in collaboration with the Talitha Project as part of the regional Gender Inclusive Conflict Prevention and Human Security programme of Global Partnership of the Prevention of Armed Conflict (GPPAC) Pacific supported by the Pacific Islands Forum Non State Actors programme funded by the European Union.