Tonga has begun construction of its first ever dialysis centre in the kingdom.
A groundbreaking ceremony this morning marked the occasion at Veitongo.
The Minister of Health, Saia Piukala said during the ceremony that the centre is named after Siaosi Brown, a Tongan man who died while hiking Bell’s Canyon, US in June 2017.
As Kaniva News reported at the time, Siaosi was a best friend of Rod Emam. Emam’s father and uncle have donated and funded the centre.
Tonga did not have dialysis centre which it forces people who sufferred from diabetes and renal failure to travel to overseas countries including New Zealand, Australia and the US for treatment.
The Ministry of Health chief executive Dr Reynold ‘Ofanoa said this morning about 75 percent of Tonga’s annual death rate had been due to non-communicable diseases.
He said 40 to 50 people need this dialysis service.
The groundbreaking ceremony today comes after years of negotiations, Dr ‘Ofanoa said.
As we previously reported, a private company in Salt Lake City was partnering with Tonga’s Ministry Of Health. The US organization involved philanthropists who wanted to leave some of their money and wealth to charity.
