Prime Minister Lord Tu’ivakano was released from Bellevue Hospital today in New York. Tu’ivakano was hospitalized since Saturday 28 after suffering chest pains.

Lord Tu’ivakano has been discharged from Bellevue Hospital in New York at 4pm (NY time- Tuesday evening), according to the Acting Chief Secretary and Secretary to Cabinet, ‘Aholotu Palu.

In another  report from New York this morning, His wife Lady Tu’ivakano said  the Prime Minister had been discharged and returned to the Tonga High Commission residence in New York.

He was tentatively booked to return to Tonga this week-end.

Lord Tu’ivakano  was attending the United Nations General Assembly as part of a delegation led by King Tupou VI.

Meanwhile Lord Maʻafu was appointed to the new post of a Minister-in-Charge and  he would lead the nation until the Prime Minister returns.

Lord Ma’afu is the Minister for Lands, Environment, Climate Change and Natural Resources.  He is the hereditary estate holder of Vaini Village.