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Mending hearts in Tonga

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Development

A team of Australian medical professionals performed life-saving heart surgery to thirty Tongans at Vaiola Hospital during a 17-day visit to the Tongan capital Nuku'alofa.

The program, run by Open Heart International (OHI)–a charity managed by the Sydney Adventist Hospital–is aimed at helping Tonga combat non-communicable diseases, which have increased to epidemic levels over the past 20 years.

'Medical professionals from different parts of Australia volunteered their expertise and time–and personally contributed to project expenses–to be part of this life-changing experience,' OHI project coordinator Dr John Wallace said.

The program was founded in 1986 through Australian Government funding and is managed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons.

'It was fantastic to see the long-lasting positive effects of the program when one of the patients we treated in 1986 dropped in to visit,' Dr Wallace said.

'We're also grateful to the local community who swamped the team with gifts, food and Tongan hospitality.'

In Tonga, the 44-member team performed the program's largest number of operations conducted during a single visit. The Australians also mentored Tongan medical professionals in cardiac surgery and post-operative care.

'The program has provided Vaiola Hospital and the local community with invaluable benefits–not only by giving these patients a second chance, but also by supporting our ability to help others,' said Dr Siale 'Akau'ola, Director for Health at Vaiola Hospital.

'The A$60,000 the Ministry of Health would have spent to send one patient to New Zealand for treatment can now support other much-needed services for the people of Tonga.'

The Australian Government gave the hospital much-needed heart surgery equipment and is funding essential staff, such as a biomedical engineer and an anaesthetist.

Four non-communicable diseases–heart disease, diabetes, stroke and lung disease–are among the top five causes of death in Tonga and are often tied to high obesity levels.

The Australian government is also supporting a program by Tongan paediatrician Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau that has screened 22,060 children for rheumatic heart disease since 2008.

More information

Open Heart International (external website)

Large group of men and women in casual clothes and smiling

Dr Toakase Fakakovikaetau (front row, far right) with some of the Open Heart International team. Photo: Michael Were/Open Heart International

Last Updated: 2 October 2013
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