Home Blog Page 234

Concerns at Long Covid symptoms not being adequately understood by health professionals

By
Kaniva Staff
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ‘a e fakamatala faka-Tonga

Kiwis experiencing Long Covid often find that doctors dismiss, ignore, or downplay their unusual symptoms, a latest nationwide Covid-19 study has revealed.

One in five participants reported having symptoms of Long Covid including shortness of breath, muscle aches, brain fog and joint pain according to an article published today by Victoria University of Wellington.

However, co-leader of the research Dr Mona Jeffreys says these Kiwis are not feeling heard.

“About half felt the healthcare they received wasn’t adequate and reported not feeling listened to or understood,” says Jeffreys.

The results of this study has prompted recommendations that call for the Government to develop a consumer-led Long Covid service, integrated with primary health care services.

Those with a pre-existing heart disease or a high body mass index (BMI) were also found to be more at risk of developing Long Covid.

The study’s other major findings were around groups who reported feeling disproportionately impacted by Covid-19.

They found that Māori, Pasifika and disabled people faced more emotional and physical challenges due to Covid-19 than other participants.

“The Covid-19 pandemic has affected everyone but it’s had much greater health, social, and financial impacts on populations that are already significantly disadvantaged,” says study co-leader Dr Lynne Russell (Ngāti Kahungunu, Rangitāne, Kāi Tahu, Ngāti Porou).

These groups were reported more difficulty accessing their GP, higher levels of anxiety and depression during the pandemic as well as financial stress resulting from Covid-19.

Information for the study was collected from people who caught Covid-19 before December 1st 2021 and included in depth interviews with 52 people, commissioned by the Ministry of Health.

Fakamatala faka-Tonga

Ko e kau Kiwi ko ia ‘oku nau fa’a puke he Long Covid ‘oku nau fa’a ‘ilo ‘a hono faka’ikai’i, fakatutkutuku’i pe fakama’ama’a’i ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga ‘ikai angamaheni ‘oku nau ma’u fakatatau ‘eni ki ha fakatotolo fakaako fakafonua ki he Koviti kuo toki tuku mai ‘i hano pulusi ‘e he ‘Univesiti Vikatōlia ‘i Uelingatoni.

Ko e ngaahi ola ‘o e fakatotolo ni kuo ne fakavave’i ha ui ki he pule’anga ke fa’u ha sēvesi ki he Long Covid kau atu ki ai ‘a e primary health care services. Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he fakatotolo ko kinautolu ne nau ‘osi puke he mahaki mafu pe toto ma’olunga ne nau ‘i he tu’unga laveangofua ange ke nau ma’u ‘a e Koviti Taungaloloa pe Long Covid.

Na’e ‘ilo foki ‘i he sitati ko ‘eni’ ha ngaahi kulupu na’e lipooti ‘enau ongo’i ‘ikai tu’otu’otatau hono ma’u kinautolu ‘e he Koviti-19.

Na’e ‘ilo ai ko e kau Māori, Pasifika mo e kakai mamatea’ ne nau fehangahangai mo e ngaahi pole ne loto ue’ingofua ange mo fisikale tu’unga he Koviti-19, ‘ia kinautolu kehe ne kau’.

Na’e uesia ‘e he penitemiki Koviti-19 ‘a e taha kotoa ka ne kovi ange i he falukunga kakai ne ‘osi fusimo’omo lahi ‘i he’ene mo’ui, sosiale mo ‘enau tu’unga fakapa’anga’.

Ko e ngaahi kulupu ko ‘eni na’e lipooti ‘a ‘enau faingata’a’ia ange ke lava sio ki he’enau GP, lahi ange ‘enau ongo’i lotomo’ua pea mo e loto ta’ota’omia kau ai mo e situlesi tupu mei he Koviti-19.

Police reopen Vava‘u drowning case

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Police are conducting a new inquiry into the death of Francis ‘Iohasi Tu’amoheloa’s death.

The case was reopened after the deceased’s mother lodged an official complaint with the “Professional Standards Unit (PSU) stating their dissatisfaction with the result of the police investigation and the inquest”.

Talanoa Leakona Lemoto

Tu’amoheloa died after getting into trouble in the water at Vaipua Harbour, Vava’u. Police would not say when did the sea fatality happen.

“PSU further investigated the complaint and concluded that the inquest was improperly handled, following which was the direction from Police Commissioner to reopen the case”, a Police statement said.

“Meanwhile, the investigation into the matter continues with no significant person of interest at this stage. It is likely to be completed by mid-March and further updates will be provided if anything significant occurs”.

Talanoa Lemoto investigation

On a separate note, Police said an inquest on the death of 35-year-old Talanoa Leakona Lemoto of Hala’ovave whose body was recovered from underwater on Monday, December 13, 2022 was conducted on Tuesday, January 10, 2023.

It concluded with three main findings:

1. The positive identification of the deceased as Talanoa Leakona Lemoto.

2. The cause of death was by accident after Mr. Lemoto’s vehicle fell into the water whilst he was intoxicated (Body sample has been sent to NZ for toxicology test).

3. There is no evidence indicating any foul play or criminal activities related to the death of Mr. Lemoto. The inquest panel was Chaired by Magistrate Salesi Mafi with independent members of the Ma’ufanga community including the pathologist, CEO Health, Dr. Siale ‘Akau’ola who conducted the autopsy, and the deceased’s wife and family. The autopsy reveals no signs of any internal or external injuries or bruises in the deceased’s body. The car was also preserved and forensically examined.

Huge house fire in Tongatapu sends smoke billowing into sky

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A huge blaze has sent clouds of black smoke billowing into the sky at Tongatapu’s town of Vainī this afternoon.

The house was fully alight by the time firefighters arrived.

In livestreamed videos shared to Facebook onlookers could be heard saying that no one was injured.

Some said they were waiting for the emergency services while the house could be seen in the videos being completely engulfed by the blaze.

The sound of glass breaking and explosions inside the house were loud enough to be heard over the videos.  

People were seen pushing a parked bus away from the fire.

One livestreamed video showed women carrying items, apparently from the house, and placed them few metres away from the fire.

 Reports on social media said the property belonged to ‘Isitolo and Kalo.

Person fishing finds body in water near Kapiti Island

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A person out fishing discovered a body in the water near the southern end of Kapiti Island this morning.

Police said the person was fishing at 9.55am when they saw what they believed to be a human body floating in the water.

The Maritime unit and National Dive Squad responded and recovered the body at 1.30pm.

Work is now underway to identify the person, notify their next of kin and investigate how they ended up in the water.

A rāhui is now in place for the area.

Son charged with sexually assaulting own mother in Tongatapu: reports

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A 52-year-old man has been charged with sexually assaulting his own mother, reports say.

Nuku’alofa Central Police Station. Photo/Kalino Lātū

Local media reports said that the incident happened at a Tongatapu 8 village.

It is unclear what triggered the accused to allegedly attack his “elderly mother”.

One report described the allegation in Tongan as “ala kovi he konga tapu ‘o e fa’ee”.

This translates into English as “touching the private parts” of the victim.

Last year a 76-year-old man was arrested for the indecent assault on a minor under the age of 15, after a family member reported the offence

In 2012 a 61-year-old father was charged by police with 12 counts of indecent assault and attempted incest on his 13-year-old daughter in ‘Eua.

Covid-19: 13,880 new cases, child under 10 among 79 deaths

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Covid-19 community cases have continued to fall, with 13,880 new cases reported over the past week.

The numbers cover the week from Monday, January 16 to Sunday, January 22.

As at midnight on Sunday, there were 242 people in hospital with the virus.

Seven people were in an intensive care or high dependency unit.

Seventy-nine more people with the virus have died.

More to come

Mele ‘Amanaki convicted of failing to file election expenses after Supreme Court overturns Magistrate decisions

By
Kaniva Staff
-

The Supreme Court has ordered former parliamentary election candidate Mele ‘Amanaki to file her election expenses or face $200 fine or a one-month imprisonment term.

Mele Teusivi ‘Amanaki

‘Amanaki was required by law to file election expenses after she unsuccessfully contested the 2021 general election.

She was a candidate for the Tongatapu 7 Electoral District seat.

On May 25, 2022 a Learned Magistrate found Ms ‘Amanaki guilty and convicted her of failing to deliver a signed statement of her election expenses within 14 days from the date of the election.  

On June 1, 2022 she was sentenced and discharged without conviction under section 204 of the Criminal Offences Act.

Police appealed that sentence.

“The Crown argues that the Learned Magistrate ought not to have discharged Ms ‘Amanaki without conviction and his doing so was a misapplication of s.204 of the said Act. The Crown said the appropriate sentence was a fine ranging from $100 to $200”, a Supreme Court document said.

“Ms ‘Amanaki argued that the Learned Magistrate correctly applied his discretion in discharging her without conviction and that I should not allow the appeal”.

In her decision on January 11, 2023, Supreme Court Judge Petunia Tupou said:

“The Appeal is allowed. The order discharging Ms ‘Amanaki without conviction is quashed.

“Ms ‘Amanaki is convicted of failing to deliver a signed statement of her election expenses within 14 days from the date of election under s.24(4) and (5) of the Electoral Act and is fined $200 to be paid within a period of 1 month or on failure to pay, 1  month imprisonment”.

Missing Auckland woman found safe

By
Kaniva Staff
-

A woman missing from her home in Auckland’s Titirangi has been found safe.

Police say Michelle has been missing since January 22. (Source: Supplied)

The 21-year-old Michelle had been missing from her home since just after 10am on Sunday.

Following a police appeal, she was found early on Monday morning. Police thanked the public for their assistance.

Parliament approves longer medical leave for former Prime Minister, but now there are calls for release of salary and travelling allowance details

By
Kalino Latu
-

The Tongan Parliament has approved former Prime Minister Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa’s request for an extension of his medical leave.

Prime MInister Dr Pōhiva Tu’i’onetoa. Photo/Kalino Lātū (Kaniva News)

Tu’i’onetoa is seeking medical treatment in the United States.

His medical expenses are being paid for by his family and not funded by Parliament, the Parliament said.

The former Prime Minister’s request was granted using a circular, which was sent to all Members.

As Kaniva News reported in recent days, the use of the circular has generated controversy.

The House issued a press release on Wednesday following our story on Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s request for longer medical leave and how this might generate a by-election for Tongatapu 10.

Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in Australia

The caption of the story when it was shared on Facebook says in Tongan that if Tu’i’onetoa’s medical leave extension request was approved by the House, the taxpayers could continue paying for Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses.

We made our comment based on taxpayers previously paying for Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in Australia in about 2017.

In an e-mail to Kaniva News on May 2018, the former Prime Minister said he had been sent to St George’s Private Hospital in Sydney after he suffered an injury while Minister of Finance in ‘Akilisi Pohiva’s Cabinet.

He said he underwent spinal surgery after suffering a slipped disc, which  compressed the spinal nerves.

Surgeons fused the third, fourth and fifth lumbar vertebrae together and replaced the disc between vertebrae four and five.

Hon. Tu’i’onetoa confirmed that the government paid for his medical expenses. He told Kaniva News that he e-mailed his Acting Minister of Finance at the time, Poasi Tei, and told him his medical treatment had been successful, although he had to use a walking stick to help him walk for some time.

Speaker Lord Fakafanua. Photo/Fale Alea ‘O Tonga

He said he told Tei that even though he was Finance Minister at the time that he could not have afforded to pay for the medical expenses.

In Tongan he said: “ Pea na’e ‘ikai pe ke u mei lava ia ‘e au ‘o totongi a e fakamole ko’eni neongo ko e Minisita Pa’anga au, ka ne ta’e’oua hono totongi ‘e he Pule’anga.”

Details of who is paying for Hon. Tu’i’onetoa’s current medical expense was also made by Hena Tu’i’onetoa, who identified herself as his wife.

However, some supporters of the former Prime Minister Tu’i’onetoa accused Kaniva of lying about Tu’i’onetoa because we questioned his medical expenses.

Travelling allowance

Parliament’s press release about Hon. Tu’i’onetoa sparked calls for the Speaker to also clarify whether or not the former Prime Minister  was still receiving his travelling allowance and salary.

It is understood that MPs are entitled to these if they are on medical leave overseas.

Critics believe that Parliament’s Wednesday press release opened a door for the public to ask for more information from the House, including Tu’i’onetoa’s Travelling Allowance records. Kaniva News has asked the Speaker to release Tu’i’onetoa’s salaries and Travelling Allowance records while he is in the USA and confirm whether he is still receiving them.

Kaniva News also asked the Speaker why its press release did not mention that the government previously funded Tu’i’onetoa’s medical expenses in Sydney. It reminded the speaker that if the press release was intended to independently inform the public transparently and accountably it should release both Tu’i’onetoa’s Australian and US medical leave records.

Critics also asked whether this was a new means of communication used by the Parliament to reveal to the public which MPs’ medical expenses were paid for by the government and who pays for their own.

Some critics have asked why Parliament did not make the same kind of statement when taxpayers were funding other MPs, including former MP Lord Fusitu’a’s medical expenses and medivac flight from Tonga to a New Zealand hospital.  Others to have benefitted include former MP and Minister Viliami Hingano and Semisi Fakahau.

Japan to consider downgrading Covid-19 to less serious infectious disease

By
Kaniva Staff
-

‘Oku taupotu ‘i lalo ha fakamatala fakaTonga

Japan will consider revising Covid-19 measures as early as this spring, downgrading the disease to a less serious category, says Prime Minister Fumio Kishida.

Speaking to media after meeting with relevant ministers, Kishida said he had instructed them to consider the specific requirements for a reclassification that would put Covid-19 in the same category as seasonal flu.

“As we try to restore the lifestyles of a normal Japan, we would like to shift various measures step by step,” Kishida told reporters.

A classification downgrade to disease category five from the current category two would end an isolation requirement for infected people and their close contacts.

In a separate measure foreshadowed by Kishida, the government would also advise only patients with symptoms to wear masks in indoor public places, whereas currently it urges everyone to do so.

The government last revised coronavirus measures in May. It said then that people no longer had to wear masks when outside as long as appropriate social distance was maintained. Even so, the vast majority of people in Japan are still wearing masks in public, both outdoors and indoors.

– Reuter

Fakamatala fakaTonga

‘Oku pehē ‘e he Palēmia Fumio Kishida, ‘e toe vakai’i ‘e Siapani ‘a e fakafuofua ko ia ki he Kōviti – 19 ‘i he kamata’anga pē ko ia ‘o e faha’i ta’u failau, ‘e holoki hifo ai ‘a e mahaki ni ki he tu’unga ‘o e ‘ikai ke fu’u fakatu’utāmaki.
Ko ‘ene fakahā ia ki he ongoongo hili ‘ene fakataha mo e kau minisitā mahu’inga. Na’e pehē ‘e Kishida na’a ne tala mahino kia kinautolu ke fakakaukau’i lelei ‘a e ngaahi fiema’u tefito ki hano toe fakakalasi ‘e fai ki he Kōviti – 19 ke ‘i he kulupu tatau pē ia mo e fulūu ko ia ‘oku hoko fakfaha’i ta’u.
Na’e fakahā foki ‘e Kishida ki he kau fai līpooti, ” ‘Oku mau loto ke vakai’i ‘a e ngaahi fokotu’utu’u ‘i he sitepu ki he sitepu, ‘i he’emau feinga ko ‘eni ke toe fakafoki mai ‘a e tūkunga mo’ui anga maheni ‘a Siapani.
Ko hano holoki hifo ‘o e kalasi fokoutua ko ‘eni mei he tu’unga lolotonga ‘oku ‘i ai, kalasi ua [2] ki he kalasi nima [5], te ne fakangata ai ‘a e fiema’u ko ia ke fakamavahe’i ‘a e kakai ‘oku puke mo kinautolu na’a nau feohi vāofi.
Na’e fakalika mai foki ‘e Kishida ha tūkunga tu’utu’uni makehe, ko e fale’i ‘a e pule’anga ke tui me’a malu’i [mask] pē ‘a kinautolu ‘oku puke mo ma’u ‘a e ngaahi faka’ilonga puke [symtoms] ‘i he ngaahi fale fakataha’anga kakai, hangē ko ia ‘oku lolotonga faka’amua ke fai ‘e he toko taha kotoa pē.
Ko hono vakai’i fakamuimui taha ko ia ‘e he pule’anga ‘a e vailasi kolona na’e fakahoko ia ‘i Mē. Na’e pehē ai ‘oku ‘ikai toe fiema’u e kakai ia ke nau tui me’a malu’i ‘i tu’a, kehe pē ‘oku tauhi ‘a e vāmama’o [social distance]. Kaneongo ia, ko e toko lahi taha ia ‘o e kakai ‘o Siapasi ‘oku nau kei tui me’a malu’i pē ‘i he ngaahi feitu’u fakapule’anga ‘o tatau ‘i tu’a mo fale.  

1...233234235...951Page 234 of 951