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Japan Provides Medical Equipment to Niu'ui Hospital

The Government of Japan has provided a number of medical equipment, worth US$58,576.00 (approximately T$100,646.00), to the Niu'ui Hospital in the Kingdom of Tonga under its Grant Assistance for Grassroots Human Security Projects (GGP) programme.

The Second Secretary at the Embassy of Japan in Fiji, Ms. Reiko Konosu, will officially hand over the new medical equipment to the representatives of the Niu'ui Hospital at 02.00 p.m. on Monday, 18th July 2005 at the Niu'ui Hospital Complex in the Kingdom of Tonga.

The new medical equipment includes infant incubator (resuscitative radiant warmer), phototherapy lights, flow guard infusion pumps, multi channel interpretive ECG, diagnostic set, laryngoscope set with neonatal blade, foetal doppler, patient monitor (ECG/BP/SPO2/Temperature), pulse oximetre, blood pressure monitor, SL/minute oxygen concentrator and portable suction machine.

The aim of this project is to establish a well equipped monitoring and resuscitating intensive care unit for critically ill patients at Niu'ui Hospital and to provide efficient neonatal care and resuscitating.

Japan's assistance to this project indicates its commitment to contribute to the improvement of the living standards and welfare of people in the Kingdom of Tonga and is in line with its Official Development Assistance (ODA) policy of promoting development at the grassroots level. The GGP programme is specifically designed to address basic human needs, which include water supply, health, basic education, vocational training and rural infrastructure. It is hoped that this assistance will help further strengthen the friendly ties between the governments and the people of the Kingdom of Tonga and Japan.