In a joint effort between the Government of Australia, the Ministry of Health and the Houma community, the Health Center received TOP$40,000 from Australian aid program, AUSAID.
This funding went into the refurbishment and equipment for this health centre, including a new roof and guttering, paint, plumbing, windows and curtains, equipment and furniture and re-tiling
The refurbishment of the Houma health center is just the beginning of this key element of Australia's development cooperation partnership with the Kingdom in the health sector
Other recently refurbished health centers funded by the Australian Government are the Kolonga Health Centre (recently completed on 22 November) and the Nukunuku Health Centre which was opened by the Australian Governor-General, Her Excellency Ms Quinton Bryce, during her State Visit to Tonga in early August.
The Ministry of Health continues to work together with local communities in coordinating the need for assistance in the community health care. The Australian Government's aid program has also confirmed that two more health care centres in villages of Kolovai and Fua'amotu are next in line to be refurbished under this aid program.
The newly refurbished Houma Health Center is expected to benefit and serve more than six hundred and fifty households of its community.
The Australian Aid program in the Kingdom, guided by the Tonga-Australia Partnership for Development, has allocated an estimated $32 million Australian dollar, including regional support, to Tonga this year (2011-12)
This strong engagement exemplifies the long-standing friendship and cooperation between the Tongan and Australian Government, who have both committed to improving the health of all Tongans, and in particular, to strengthen primary health care, and halt the rise in non-communicable diseases
ENDS
Issued by the: Ministry of Information and Communications, Nuku'alofa, 2011.
