4 August 2023

Nuku’alofa- His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala was Guest of Honour at the ground breaking ceremony of the Dialysis Centre for the Kingdom of Tonga, at Veitongo, this morning.

The Ministry of Health in collaboration with the Siaosi Brown Dialysis Centre, Utah, USA worked closely, to establish a Free Dialysis Clinic in Tonga to cater for the dialysis needs of the people of Tonga.

The project was an initiative of the Late Queen Mother, HM Queen Halaevalu Mata’aho, who requested Dr Emam in Utah if they can provide these services for her people in Tonga. Follow-up visits to Salt Lake City, Utah by the Minister of Health, Dr.Saia Ma’u Piukala and Hon. Hu’akavameiliku contributed to the speeding up of arrangements for the establishment of the centre.

With the establishment of the Dialysis Centre and Free Dialysis Clinic, the people of Tonga will no longer need to travel far or feel the financial burden of having to get overseas treatment for renal failure or such.

Medical staff from Vaiola Hospital will be sent overseas for special training for the dialysis centre, while implementation is expected to commence by April, 2024.

Mr Lynn McMurray, known as Makamaile, Director of the SIaosi Brown Dialysis Board made a remarks followed by the key note address by Mr Rodnia Emam, Chairman of the Siaosi Brown Dialysis Board and son of Dr. Emam.