Ground Breaking Ceremony of the Dialysis Centre for the Kingdom of Tonga Senita Taialasisi Veitongo

Royal Ground Breaking Ceremony by His Royal Highnees the Crown Prince Tupouto'a 'Ulukalala of the Siaosi Brown Dialysis Centre Utah USA in Parnership with the Ministry of Health Government of Tonga. Tanupou 'oe Fuofua Senita Taialasisi 'a Siaosi Brown mei Utah, 'Amelika. 'Oku tu'u 'ae Senita 'i Veitongo, Tongatapu, Kingdom of Tonga. 4th August, 2023.

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.
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, Her Majesty 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 remarks followed by the key note address by Mr Rodnia Emam, Chairman of the Siaosi Brown Dialysis Board and son of Dr. Emam.

Media Release August 5, 2023.
“Tonga will no longer need to travel far to get overseas treatment for renal failure”
Nuku’alofa- Tonga will no longer need to travel far or feel the financial burden of having to get overseas treatment for renal failure in few months- time after a ground breaking ceremony today for a new Dialysis Centre in Veitongo, graced by His Royal Highness, Crown Prince Tupouto’a ‘Ulukalala.
The Honourable Prime Minister Hu’akavameiliku told reporters during a Press Conference with members of the local media here at St George Building in Nuku’alofa, this afternoon.
After prolonged problems with lacking of funding, Siaosi Brown Dialysis Centre from Utah, USA had been closely working with Government of Tonga to provide free dialysis treatment, Hon Hu’akavameiliku said.
“Tongan patients overseas, who may wish to return after the expiry of their visas and continue treatment in Tonga,” he said adding that implementation will commence by April, 2024.