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Ministry moves to stop what it says are lies on social media after boy’s MRSA death

By
Kalino Latu
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Tonga’s Ministry of Health is working to stop “disrespectful and untruthful comments” made on social media about the Ministry and its staffers, Dr Siale ‘Akauʻola, Tonga’s Ministry of Health CEO said today.

Dr ‘Akauʻola said it was difficult to control the discussion on social media because “negative emotions are high and rational and sensible talking/thinking, very low.”

The Ministry has been subjected to bitter comments on social media since a 12-year-old boy from Vava’u died on June 30.

The comments became more intense after Kaniva News reported that the boy, ʻAtunaisa Wilson Mataongo, died because he was infected by the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

Most commentators rejected the MRSA claim and said it was a cover up.

Dr ʻAkauʻola said he was deeply concerned by the allegations.

Some posts by Facebook users who appeared to have supported the family of the boy triggered a series of heated debates on Facebook.

The posts, which were widely shared on Facebook groups and individual Facebook accounts attacked the Ministry and the health officials in Vava’u..

Most commenters claimed the boy’s life might have been saved, that there were cases of the same nature before in which the patients died and that people no longer trusted the Ministry of Health.

Some called on the doctors and the nurses in Vavaʻu who worked on Mataongoʻs case to resign.

Dr ‘Akau’ola denied the comments and said they infuriated the health workers.

He said the comments were disrespectful and caused the public to lose faith in the Ministry.

“A team is working with the ministry to create policies in an attempt to stop this from happening in the future”, Dr ‘Akau’ola said.

Tongan medication

Dr ‘Akau’ola said the boy died after he was infected with MRSA.

He also said the family treated the boy with Tongan medication in the hospital.

He said there was no law to prohibit the use of Tongan medication.

However, when it was used inside the hospital it was entirely up to the doctor in charge to consider whether it was wise to use it or not.

“Tongan medication is useful sometimes and we used to it,” Dr ‘Akau’ola said.

He said it was sometime prohibited when the medication could cause an infection. This could happen when leaves used were chewed and applied to an injury.

He said the Ministry did not believe Mataongo died because of the Tongan medication.

He died because he was infected by MRSA bacteria, he said.

In our story on Mataongo’s death on July 10, we said that MRSA normally occurred among people who had been hospitalised for treatment.

However, we also reported that according to the prestigious Mayo Clinic, MRSA infections can occur in the wider community and are spread by skin to skin contact.  People living in crowded conditions are at risk.

The main points

  • Tonga’s Ministry of Health is working to stop “disrespectful and untruthful comments” made on social media about the Ministry and its staffers, Dr Siale ‘Akauʻola, Tonga’s Ministry of Health CEO said today.
  • Dr ‘Akauʻola said it was difficult to control the discussion on social media because “negative emotions are high and rational and sensible talking/thinking, very low.”
  • The Ministry has been subjected to bitter comments on social media since a 12-year-old boy from Vava’u died on June 30.
  • The comments became more intense after Kaniva News reported that the boy, ʻAtunaisa Wilson Mataongo, died because he was infected by the Methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus Aureus (MRSA).

For more information

Health authorities concerned after rare MRSA-related pneumonia kills boy (Kaniva News)

MRSA (Mayo Clinic)

Olympic gold medallist Adams scores major win in Budapest ahead of Rio Games

By
Philip Cass
-

With this year’s Olympics less than three weeks away, New Zealand’s Tongan-born shotput queen Valerie Adams has scored a major victory in Budapest.

Adams won in the Hungarian Athletics grand prix meeting in Budapest with a 20.19m throw earlier today.

Afterwards she tweeted: “A win in Budapest with 20.19m and a meet record and seasons best. A great competition indeed. Thank you Hungary.”

Adams has been on the comeback trail after undergoing knee and shoulder surgery and is now well prepared for the Rio Games.

She has already competed in three Olympics, where she has won gold twice. She has also competed four times in the Commonwealth Games, where she has won three gold and one silver.

Her official New Zealand Olympic team profile described her as “the dominant women’s shot putter in the world since 2006.”

According to Radio New Zealand, she is one of only nine athletes – along with Usain Bolt – who has been a world champion at youth, junior, and senior levels of her event.

Born in the Cook Islands and proud of her Tongan heritage, she is an outstanding example of the contribution people from the Pacific have made to New Zealand. In 2014 she carried the New Zealand flag at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.

Last year Adams was appointed as Lord Vaea’s herald with the name Tongitupe-ʻO e-Funga Taua.

The appointment is the highest honour given to commoners in Tongan culture.

She was appointed to the title while attending a double celebrations in her mother’s village, Houma. Houma is Lord Vaea’s estate.

Earlier this year Kaniva News reported that she had become engaged to fiancé Gabriel Price, who she married in April.

The main points

  • With this year’s Olympics less than three weeks away, New Zealand’s Tongan-born shotput queen Valerie Adams has scored a major victory in Budapest.
  • Adams won in the Hungarian Athletics grand prix meeting in Budapest with a 20.19m throw earlier today.
  • Afterwards she tweeted: “A win in Budapest with 20.19m and a meet record and seasons best. A great competition indeed. Thank you Hungary.”
  • Adams has been on the comeback trail after undergoing knee and shoulder surgery and is now well prepared for the Rio Games.

For more information

Valerie Adams Olympic profile

Adams throws season’s best in Budapest

Field: Valerie Adams and Tom Walsh (Radio New Zealand)

No arrests made after Sopu teenage boy dies

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Police reportedly said no arrests have been made after an 18-year-old teenage boy died following a brawl in Nuku’alofa on July 9.

‘Alani Fuapau of Sopu allegedly died of head injury in Vaiola Hospital.

The incident was not reported to Police until July 12, local media reported.

It was believed Fuapau involved in the fight.

Police investigation continues.

Vavaʻu man charged after stabbing wife

By
Kalino Latu
-

A 33-year-old man of Kāmeli, Vavaʻu was charged after his 29-year-old wife was reported to Police with multiple stab wounds at family home in Talau.

The incident happened last Friday 15.

The accused is due to appear in court today for one charge of assault causing bodily injury while his wife is still in hospital in a critical but stable condition, Vavaʻu Police Superintendent Netane Falakiseni said.

Falakiseni said the accused was drunk while he allegedly stabbed his wife with a kitchen knife.

Three Kolonga people killed in car accident

By
Kalino Latu
-

Three people have died after a car accident on the Talasiu rd this morning.

Deputy Police commissioner Pelenatita Vaisuai has confirmed the accident occurred at about 12 am Monday 18.

“Police have confirmed that alcohol and speeding were contributing factors to the crash”, she said.

She saud Police could not release the identities of the victims as they were trying to contact their next of kins.

She said all victims from Kolonga.

Radio correspondent Faka’osi Maama reported this morning that one of the victims was a Tongan based Auckland resident  from Kolonga who arrived in the kingdom recently.

Police investigation is ongoing.

Tongan Fitfh Harmony star and X Factor singer visits kingdom

By
Kalino Latu
-

Famed Tongan singer in the United States Dinah Jane Hansen is in Tonga.

Born as Dinah Jane Milika Ilaisaane Hansen Amasio, the 19-year-old is the youngest  member of the Fifth Harmony music group.

The group has 7.5 million certified records sold and it has emerged as the most successful alumni from the X Factor U.S. franchise.

On Friday Dinah took to Twitter and told her 1.79 million followers about her visit to his parents’ homeland.

“Going back to my root”, she tweeted.

She also posted on twitter and said today Sunday 17: “Good morning from Tonga”.

This morning photos with captions posted on Facebook showed Dinah attending a church service together with some of the royal family.

Another photo showed she was posing for photos with Prince Ata, Prince Taufaʻāhau and Crown Princess Sinaitakala and others.

Born and raised in Santa Ana, California, Dinah has been regarded as similar to Beyoncé because of her powerful voice.

One source of information said Dinah’s musical idols included Beyoncé, Leona Lewis, Mariah Carey, and Etta James.

In the 2012 X Factor in the United States Dinah probably would have been put through as a solo singer but this did not happen after she forgot the lyrics of the song, “What Doesn’t Kill You (Stronger) by Kelly Clarkson”, she sang with Diamond White.

Her parents are Gordon from Tefisi Vavaʻu and Milika Hansen from Haʻateiho and Foʻui.

Tonga’s Viliami Fihaki sign’s for Edinburgh

By
Kaniva Staff
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Tonga back-row forward Viliami Fihaki is relishing a “great adventure” after joining Edinburgh on a two-year contract.

The 29-year-old has moved to the Scottish capital from Sale Sharks where he will team up with a number of familiar faces.

The physical number eight, who can also play blindside flanker, formerly played with New Zealand provincial side North Harbour and has scored two tries in eight internationals.

“I’ve played against a few of the squad – Nasi Manu back in New Zealand and Will Helu in the Premiership, though I’ve also played with him in the Tongan team,” he said.

“Of course I’ve played alongside Fowlesy (Nathan Fowles) at Sale and also with Phil Burleigh in a Chiefs development side.

“The move will be a great adventure for me and my family and I’m looking forward to getting involved.”

Edinburgh Rugby Head Coach Alan Solomons said: “We are delighted that Vili has signed for the club. He is a big, powerful ball carrier with international experience.

“I have no doubt that he will add huge value to the team and look forward to working with him.”

–Bt Sport

Police probe after female peace corps attacked in Sopu

By
Kalino Latu
-

Tongan Police were investigating after a brutal attack on a peace corps woman in Sopu this morning Saturday 16.

This has been confirmed by the Nukuʻalofa Police Superintendent Tevita Fifita to Kaniva News.

Fifita released no further information as Police investigation continued.

Kaniva understands the victim is a Peace Corps Voulnteer.

Taimi ʻo Tonga correspondent Tevita Motulalo reported on Facebook the volunteer received serious injuries to her face.

Supreme Court clears third person accused in theft and embezzlement case

By
Philip Cass
-

A salesman has been acquitted of charges of theft and embezzlement in the Supreme Court.

Appearing before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen, Kevini Vaifo’ou was acquitted by Lord Chief Justice Paulsen after the charges were unproven.

Vaifo’ou was part of a group of three employees of Leiola Group Ltd who were accused of being engaged in a joint criminal enterprise to steal from the company. The other accused were Katalau  Vea’ilu  and  Lupi Fonua.

The indictment alleged that in 2013 Vaifo’ou, together with Vea’ilu  and  Fonua embezzled $TP81,401  from Leiola. They were charged with theft of the same amount. The prosecution alleged the money had been taken from 32 cash sales to 23 Chinese stores. The amount involved was later reduced to $TP48,382 and the number of sales and stores involved. A third charge of falsification of accounts was dropped.

Vaifo’ou and Vea’ilu  were employed  to  sell  cigarettes  and  phone  cards,  mainly  to  Chinese  retail stores.   They  would  visit  stores  and  if  the  store  needed  cigarettes  or phone cards they  would  hand over the  goods  along with  an  invoice. In most cases they  were  paid  immediately  in  cash.

In his report on the case, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said the  money  and  a copy  of  the  invoice  were  returned  to  Leiola’s  office  and  given  to  Fonua. She would fraudulently enter the transaction in Leiola’s database as a credit sale and distribute the money to herself, Vea’ilu, Vaifo’ou  and another employee, Paea Savou.

Fonua, Veaiilu and Savou have already been dealt with by the court.

As far as Leiola was concerned the retail stores owed a debt but in fact they  had paid.

Fonua, Vea’ily and Savou  had already been dealt with by the court.

Because the company accounts appeared to be balanced out at the end of each month, the losses were not noticed for a long time.  Eventually, however, the company’s accountant, Arleen Talavera, began to suspect something was wrong.  When she approached retail stores they claimed they had made payments not shown in Leiola’s records. They had also been issued invoices with numbers that did not match Leiola’s records.

Vea’ilu told the court that at the  end of each  day  it was usually Fonua who would prepare the summary  of the day’s  sales.  After it became apparent that the thefts were being investigated, Vea’ilu met with the managing director of Leiola’s parent company, John Paul Chapman and told him that he had  lost the  money.

Following this the general manager of Leiola, Mr. Viliami Takau, was informed  and  Vea’ilu was dismissed.  Vea’ilu said Chapman was financially supporting Vaifo’ou, who is his cousin. He denied that he had told Chapman that Vaifo’ou was involved because he hoped the managing director would cover up the theft if he thought his relative was involved.

The prosecution relied on proving that a number of sales had involved the theft of cash paid by shop keepers and faked receipts and financial records being kept.

However, Lord Chief Justice Paulsen said Talavara’s analysis was intended for internal company purposes and not a criminal prosecution.

“Her enquires were not as thorough as one would expect in a criminal case, but she  cannot be criticised for that,” the judge said.

“There should have been independent expert analysis of the accounts.”

Mr Justice Paulsen found that the evidence gathered from store owners was insufficient and that the evidence from the shopkeepers who testified in court was not adequate to support the prosecution’s case.

In his summing up, the judge said he did not accept the evidence presented by Vea’ilu and said the prosecution had failed to prove that Vaifo’ou had been involved in  or  took   any   money  from   the company.

The main points

  • A salesman has been acquitted of charges of theft and embezzlement in the Supreme Court.
  • Appearing before Lord Chief Justice Paulsen, Kevini Vaifo’ou was acquitted by Lord Chief Justice Paulsen after the charges were unproven.
  • Vaifo’ou was part of a group of three employees of Leiola Group Ltd who were accused of being engaged in a joint criminal enterprise to steal from the company. The other accused were Katalau Vea’ilu  and  Lupi Fonua.
  • The indictment alleged that in 2013 Vaifo’ou, together with Vea’ilu and  Fonua embezzled or stole $TP81,401  from Leiola.

Tongan rugby player in New Zealand dies after battle with rare cancer

By
Kaniva Staff
-

Uto ʻEnosi Tuipulotu died after fighting a rare form of cancer in Christchurch Hospital, a source close to the family has confirmed.

The cancer was “an unexpected diagnosis after his heart started racing at rugby training a couple of months ago”, Fairfax Media reported.

According to “Akaroa Area School teacher Garry Brittenden, who helped bring Tuipulotu from Tonga to Akaroa in 2012, the rare form of cancer was a soft tissue sarcoma”.

“It’s so rare they [doctors] are saying it’s a new thing for them”, Brittenden told Fairfax.

It was understood ‘Uto’s  two brothers arrived in Christchurch with mother Lapulou Hola ʻEnosi this week, while his father, Siaosi, has already been in the city.

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