Ministry of Health Tonga

12/08/2026

A Major Milestone for Breastfeeding in Tonga

Today, the Ministry of Health launched Tonga’s first breastfeeding policy, the Vaiola Hospital Infant Feeding and Breastfeeding Support Policy, at Molitoni Hall in Nuku‘alofa.

The policy commits Vaiola Hospital to the WHO and UNICEF Ten Steps to Successful Breastfeeding, including skin-to-skin contact, keeping mothers and babies together, and supporting mothers to begin breastfeeding within the first hour after birth.

This is an important step towards ensuring that every mother receives the support, protection and care needed to give babies the best start in life.

The launch was also followed by consultation on the draft Tonga Health and Nutrition Promotion Plan 2026–2030, bringing together communities, health workers, churches, young people and other stakeholders to help shape Tonga’s future health promotion priorities.

Malo aupito to the Ministry of Health, World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, UNICEF Pacific, New Zealand High Commission, Nuku'alofa, Tonga, VSA and all partners and stakeholders who contributed to this important milestone.

11/08/2026

Strengthening Behaviour Change Communication in Tonga

This week, we commenced a one-week Train-the-Trainer Workshop on Social and Behaviour Change Communication (SBCC) at Niu Lodge.

The training is led by Dr Robyn Drysdale and supported through funding from Australia in Tonga. It aims to strengthen local capacity and ensure that Tongans can lead and deliver this important course, supporting greater local ownership of a crucial component of health promotion.

Participants include staff from the Health Promotion Unit (HPU), Tonga National University - 'Univesiti Fakafonua 'a Tonga, and TongaHealth.

Building local capacity today means creating a stronger and more sustainable health promotion workforce for tomorrow.

10/08/2026

10/08/2026

Today marks an important step forward as the Ministry of Health, UNICEF, and the Pacific Community (SPC) officially open the joint mission under the Pacific Healthy Islands Transformation (PHIT) Project.

This mission brings partners together to strengthen Tonga’s health workforce, improve digital health systems, build institutional capacity, and develop practical solutions for a stronger, more connected and resilient health system.

Through collaboration, shared knowledge, and a common vision, we can continue building a healthier future for every Tongan and for communities across the Pacific. 💙🌏

Quote:

“Real progress depends on strong partnerships, shared learning, and a genuine commitment to improving health.”

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09/08/2026

UNICEF/SPC Joint Mission in Tonga 🇹🇴

The Ministry of Health welcomes the UNICEF/SPC Joint Mission Programme, taking place from 10–14 August 2026 in Tonga.

This important mission brings together partners including UNICEF, SPC and the World Bank to support the Ministry of Health and strengthen collaboration under the PHIT Project.

Working together for a healthier Tonga and stronger health systems.

06/08/2026

06/08/2026

BCC Short Course Validation Workshop

The Ministry of Health successfully completed the Behaviour Change Communication (BCC) Short Course Validation Workshop this week at Tapuaki Mei Langi, with stakeholders from TNU, TNQAB, TongaHealth, NGOs, MOH and DFAT.

Facilitated by Dr Robyn Drysdale with DFAT support Australia in Tonga, this milestone builds on work that began in February to develop a course that will strengthen health promotion and behaviour change communication capacity in Tonga.

The course aims to support action on health challenges while building skills that can be applied beyond the health sector to address wider social and development issues.

05/08/2026

‘Oku kamata ‘a e Sivi ‘o e Mahaki ‘o e Ngāue ‘o e Mafú (Rheumatic Heart Disease Screening) ‘i Tonga ni! ❤️🩺

Na’e kamata ‘a e sivi ‘i he Mōnite, pea ‘i he ‘aho ni na’e ‘a‘ahi ‘a e timi ki he ngaahi ‘apiako ‘e 4.

Mālō ‘aupito ki he Puleako mo e kau ngāue ‘o Tupou College Toloa, FWPS Toloa, GMS Folaha mo GPS Longoteme, ‘i hono tuku ‘a e mo‘ui lelei ‘a e kau akó ‘i mu‘a.

‘Oku tokoni ‘a e sivi ko ‘ení ke tau ‘ilo vave ‘a e fānau ‘oku fiema‘u tokoni fakavavevave, pea ke tau lava ‘o fai ha faito‘o ‘i he taimi totonu ke ta‘ofi ai ha ngaahi palopalema ‘i he kaha‘u.

‘E hokohoko atu ‘a e ngāue ‘a e timi ‘i he ngaahi ‘apiako ‘i he uike ni. Kātaki ‘o vakai ki he tefito‘i taimi-tēpile kuo tuku atu ke mou ‘ilo ai ‘a e ‘aho ‘e ‘a‘ahi mai ai ki homou ‘apiako.

‘Oku mau kole ki he ngaahi mātu‘a ke mou fakapapau‘i ‘oku ‘alu ‘a e fānau ki he ‘apiako ‘i he uike ni ke sivi, koe‘uhi ke lava ‘o ‘ilo mo faito‘o vave ha fa‘ahinga palopalema ‘e ala ma‘u.

Ko e sivi vave ‘oku ne malu‘i ‘a e mo‘ui ‘a e fānau ‘i he kaha‘u. ❤️🩺
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Rheumatic Heart Disease Screening is now underway across Tonga! Screening kicked off on Monday, and today the team visited 4 schools.

Thank you to the Principal and staff of Tupou College Toloa, FWPS Toloa, GMS Folaha and GPS Longoteme for putting your students' health first. This screening helps us catch young kids who need urgent care early, so we can prevent complications down the road.

The team will keep working through the schools this week — please check the posted schedule for your school's date. We're asking parents to make sure your kids come to school this week to get screened, so any issues can be treated early too.

04/08/2026

Polokalama Hulu Mafu (Rheumatic Heart Disease screening) kihe fanau ako lautohi 'ae Pule'anga pea moe ngaahi ako 'ae Siasi (Primary mo e Middle School).
Fakatokanga'i ange pe matu'a tauhi fanau ko e faingamalie lelei 'eni ke 'ave leva ho fanau kihe ako ke nau kau he polokalama mahu'inga ko 'eni. Ko e ngaahi fakaikiiki 'ena 'oku ha atu: ngaahi ako'anga mo e 'aho fakahoko fatongia atu kiai 'ae timi ngaue.
Malo 'aupito.

02/08/2026

Ministry of Health – Strengthening Noncommunicable Disease Care in Tonga

The Ministry of Health is taking a further step toward contextualizing our health services to better serve the people of Tonga.

The PEN Protocol (Package of Essential Noncommunicable Disease Interventions) has, for many years, remained underutilized, with responsibility for its implementation shifting over time. This time, the Ministry is committed to seeing this work through to completion.

With the support of DFAT (Australia in Tonga) and World Health Organization Western Pacific Region, expertise from across our health sections has been brought together to develop a Protocol tailored to Tonga's context and health system. This Protocol will ensure a consistent standard of care for all patients across health centers, hospitals, and other opportunistic points of contact throughout our communities.

Importantly, this Protocol extends beyond patients living with hypertension or diabetes. It also addresses the needs of at-risk and healthy individuals, supporting early detection and prevention across the population.

In the coming months, the Ministry will proceed with piloting and implementation. We remain committed to seeing this initiative through to its successful completion.