The Tonga Dialysis Centre was launched a year ago, but no official opening date has been announced.
The Minister of Health, Dr Siale ‘Akau’ola, was reported by the Tonga Independent as saying the government was still awaiting a report from its stakeholders in the USA.
As we reported in August last year, Tonga has begun construction of the kingdom’s first dialysis centre.
A groundbreaking ceremony was staged at the time to mark the occasion at Veitongo.
The former Minister of Health, Saia Piukala said during that ceremony that the centre is named after Siaosi Brown, a Tongan man who died while hiking Bell’s Canyon, US in June 2017.
Siaosi was Rod Emam’s best friend. Emam’s father and uncle donated and funded the centre.
Tonga did not have a dialysis centre, which forced people who suffered 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 during the ceremony 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 organisation involved philanthropists who wanted to leave some of their money and wealth to charity.
