Tongan Orthopaedic Surgical Project

By Tony Hodge
Rotary Club of Wanganui North, NZ

The Rotary Club of Wanganui North, NZ, has been working on its Tongan Orthopaedic Surgical Project for the past three years, with the goal of upgrading the orthopaedic surgical services at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku’alofa, Tonga. The project is the long-held vision of club member John Van Dalen, a well-known Whanganui orthopaedic surgeon.

The $120,000 project is fully funded by a Rotary Foundation global grant and a New Zealand Aid grant, along with support from the Rotary Club of Wanganui North, the Rotary Club of Whanganui, and other Rotary clubs in New Zealand and overseas.

PICTURED: Head surgeon at Vaiola Hospital Dr Bill Tangi, right, with visiting orthopaedic surgeon Dr John Van Dalen and trainee surgeon Dr Marina Tuinukuafeo.

On August 29, Vaiola Hospital received the latest shipment of orthopaedic surgical equipment, organised by the Rotary Club of Whanganui North. The eight boxes, with a value of NZ$30,000, were shipped by the overseas supplier, and the market value is estimated to be four to five times greater.

Until recently, the outdated technique of six weeks’ traction to treat fractures was still being used in Tonga. This will now be supplanted by modern fixation techniques, made possible through the acquisition of a trauma table donated by Whanganui Hospital in 2019 and the equipment received in August, as well as the input from visiting surgeons. The purchase of this equipment was enabled through generous donations from NZ Aid, The Rotary Foundation, and the Rotary Club of Whanganui North.

Arrangements are now being made to provide the medical team at Vaiola Hospital with ongoing training in orthopaedic surgery. Training of a resident Tongan surgeon to upskill in fracture management is also being arranged in Whanganui, NZ, for 2023-24.

It is estimated the project will take another two to three years to complete.