The long-awaited Siaosi Brown Dialysis Centre in Veitongo is expected to begin operations in November 2025, according to Tonga’s Minister of Health, Dr ʻAna ʻAkauʻola, who made the announcement during a press conference held in Nukuʻalofa this afternoon.
This marks a major milestone for Tonga’s healthcare system, as the country has never had a dialysis facility before.
Patients suffering from chronic kidney disease have long been forced to seek treatment overseas, often in New Zealand, Australia, or the United States.
Dr ʻAkauʻola said the new centre will allow many of these patients to return home and receive life-saving dialysis treatment locally.
The dialysis centre, named after Siaosi Brown, a Tongan man who passed away in the U.S. in 2017, was funded and supported by the Siaosi Brown Dialysis Board based in Utah.
The centre will initially operate with five dialysis machines located near Vaiola Hospital in Tongatapu, with services expected to be free of charge for qualifying patients.
During the press conference, Dr ʻAkauʻola also clarified the vetting process used by the Ministry of Health to determine which patients are eligible for government-funded medical evacuation overseas.
She emphasised that the Health Committee, composed of doctors from various departments, maintains a high standard in its assessments.
Even when Ministers or the Prime Minister refer patients to her, she said she still forwards them to the Committee, whose decisions are final.
While the centre is expected to offer free dialysis services, it remains unclear whether any fees will be introduced in the future.
According to Tonga’s Health Services Regulations, the Minister of Health has the authority to waive or exempt fees on humanitarian grounds.
The opening of the dialysis centre is seen as a beacon of hope for hundreds of Tongans suffering from chronic kidney disease, and a significant step toward improving healthcare access in the Kingdom.
