Malo e lelei,
Thank you very much for organizing this ceremony today, while "Jasmine" is playing around in the Kingdom of Tonga. It is a great honor and pleasure for me to commission the new Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) in the paediatric ward of the Viola Hospital, on behalf of the people and the Government of Japan. I also thank all of you for the warm welcome extended to us this afternoon and your generous hospitality.
First of all, I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Minister of Health, Honorable ‘Uliti Uata, Acting Director, Dr. Lei Saafi, and staffs of Ministry of Health as well as the Viola Hospital to support this installment of this new NICU. This NICU is a part of the follow-up of the first phase of the project for upgrading and refurbishment of the Viola Hospital. As you may be aware of, the Government of Japan supported the initial upgrading and refurbishment of the hospital during 2004 to 2006. The World Bank also supported the construction of the pediatrics and medical wards during 2005 to 2007. Thanks to leadership, cooperation and technical expertise of the Ministry of Health, Japan and the World Bank successfully completed these projects five years ago
The installment of the new NICU is to respond the request from the Ministry of Health to address the increasing infant mortality rate since 2006. Infant mortality rate is one of the indicators for Millennium Development Goals Number 4, to reduce by two-thirds the under-five mortality rate between 1990 and 2015. Doctors and nurses can regularly station in the new NICU and provide necessary care for infants; the NICU provides a better and cleaner environment to protect infants' lives from viruses and bacteria. Utilizing the new NICU and the medical equipments in the existing Pediatric Incentive care unit, the Viola Hospital is expected to contribute to reverse this trend in the near future.
As the achievement of the Millennium Development Goals remains one of the priorities in Japan's overall development cooperation, the assistance to the health sector is one of the center pillars of Japan's activities in the Kingdom of Tonga. Along with the ongoing construction and renovation work at the Viola Hospital, the Government of Japan has implemented Need-Based In-Service Training through JICA for community health nurses to empower the mid-level nursing supervisors in the field of reproductive health. Japan also actively works to support upgrading and renovation of community health centers, such as Niu'eiki Hospital in ‘Eua, through its grant assistance to grass-roots human security projects (GGP). Japan has dispatched volunteers in the health sector, total number of which accumulated 44 volunteers until now.
In addition, we also worked with the South Pacific Medical Team for the improvement of school-based oral health activity, known as "Malimali Program," which completed on last November. Apart from the partnership through JICA's program, the South Pacific Medical Team has been actively working on the improvement of oral health in the Kingdom of Tonga. They have also generously and voluntarily donated ambulances to the Viola Hospital for the betterment of the health sector in Tonga. [Unfortunately, they cannot return from ‘Eua but please give them an applause. ]
We would like to work on identifying needs to make this sector better and support the people and the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga to achieve Millennium Development Goals. The close cooperation among MoH and WHO as well as AusAid plays a significant role in analyzing the current status in Tonga and identifying such needs. We expect an inclusive partnership for the betterment of this sector and keep the Viola Hospital as the center of excellence in the South Pacific Region.
Finally, I would like to express our sincere appreciation to the warm sympathy and condolences as well as substantial amount of donations from the Ministry of Health as well as the people and other ministries of the Government of the Kingdom of Tonga for the serious damages caused by the East Japan Great Earthquakes and Tsunami in Japan in March last year. To reciprocate the supports and assistances extend to Japan, Japan would like to continue its commitment to support the betterment of the welfare of the people of the Kingdom of Tonga.
Last, but not least. The Viola Hospital renovation and extension is in the final phase of the project. We will have a grand opening in April. Ladies and Gentlemen, with these few words, I officially commission the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit to the Ministry of Health and the Viola Hospital.
Thank you
Malo ‘Aupito.
For further enquires please contact: Mr. Fumihito Shinohara, Second Secretary, Embassy of Japan in Tonga.
Level 5, National Reserve Bank of Tonga Building / Telephone: 22-221 / Fax 27-025 (PR2012# 2)
