Ministry of Health

This is after they handed over a new vehicle to the Ministry of Health, last week.

A statement issued by the government sad “This new vehicle will facilitate NCD's outreach services to Tongatapu’s communities.”

The new vehicle was handed over by Australia's Deputy High Commissioner Erin Gleeson to Tonga's Minister of Health, Dr Saia Piukala.

The Ministry of Health has confirmed that the centre is currently under construction and is expected to be completed in April next year.

MOH also confirmed that there are about 50 patients in Tonga who urgently need the dialysis treatment and they will be the first to get treatments when the dialysis centre opens.

The ministry has also started training for specialist doctors in New Zealand.

He will serve in the position for four-years, from 6 July when he signed his contract with Government.

Dr ‘Ofanoa now takes over from Dr. Siale 'Akau'ola who completed his employment contract in May this year.

Dr. 'Ofanoa's career in public service began in January 1999 as a Medical Officer with the Ministry of Health. He then took up the position of Acting Chief Medical Officer at Niu'ui Hospital in Ha'apai from June 2001 to July 2002, before being promoted as Medical Officer Special Grade of the Public Health Division in 2004.

The new transports and essential medical equipment were handed over by Japan’s Ambassador, Kensaku Munenaga to the Minister of Health, Dr Saia Piukala.

The equipment included 13 medical waste containers, six electrocardiograms, three ICU beds, eight stretchers, 10 wheel chairs, 20 IV stands, eight syringe pumps, and two brand new ambulances.

The medical equipment is the third and final batch of a USD1.5 million made under Japan’s Non-Project Grant Assistance.

He said the government will ensure there is enough nursing staff in Tonga.

Piukala said the government would also support people travelling overseas because they will become good ambassadors for Tonga and learn more, and then bring that knowledge back to the country.

A total of 32 nurses who graduated in December have now joined the Health Ministry workforce.

The lab was supported by the World Health Organisation (WHO) with funding from the Indian Government.

Matangi Tonga reports the Minister of Health, Dr Saia Piukala, saying at the launch Covid-19 is not yet over and testing in Tonga remains a priority.

The Minister of Health, Saia Piukala, said the new app 'Tonga 'a Tautolu' would be available to download this week.

Tonga's Ministry of Health reports there are 871 active cases.

There have been 11 Covid deaths since the outbreak started.

Ninety one percent of the population over 12 has been double vaccinated and 58 percent has been boosted.

Samples sequenced by the Ministry of Healtth and the Doherty Institute in Melbourne, were determined to be Omicron , the latest COVID-19 variant in circulation around the world.

The Ministry of Health’s Permanent Secretary, Doctor James Fong said Fiji has community transmission of both Omicron and Delta variants throughout the country.

He added that it explains the high number of cases recorded recently given the high transmissibility of the variant.

Health experts are warning it will become the dominant variant.

Medical Superintendent, Dr ‘Ana ‘Akau’ola said the new variant has reached neighbouring countries of New Zealand and Fiji.

‘Akau’ola stressed that while not a lot is known about the variant, it does spread faster than the Delta variant and is not as severe.

 “I plead with the people in Tonga to please come and get vaccinated as it has been confirmed that the vaccine will reduce the effect of the illness in the person who has the virus.”

The Ministry of Health aims to fully vaccinate 70% of Tonga's total population of 105,924.

The vehicles were handed over by the Japanese Ambassador Kensaku Munenaga to the Minister of Health Dr 'Amelia Tu'ipulotu.

Ambassador Munenaga said, “Even if vaccines are available, we cannot fully utilize them without an appropriate supply system. Vaccines, especially those for COVID-19, require swift distributions and more importantly, a very sensitive temperature control. Therefore, its supply system is called a Cold Chain.”

The vehicles will support vaccination programs in Tonga, especially outer islands, she said.