Press Tour on Japan’s Official Development Assistance 2022
2022/10/31


On Wednesday, 26 October 2022 the Embassy of Japan in Nuku‘alofa hosted a Press Tour from Japan’s Official Development Assistances, (ODA) Projects which are recently completed and handed over to the Government of Tonga.
H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga joined the tour and acknowledged collaboration of local media to learn better about Japan’s ODA Projects. Two projects of the Press Tour were the Project for Capacity Development of ICU using Telemedicine under COVID-19, at the Vaiola Hospital, and the Project for Introduction of Nationwide Early Warning System and Strengthening Disaster Communications (NEWS Project) at the new Tonga Broadcasting Commission headquarters at Fasi mo e Afi.
Visiting the new Intensive Care Unit installed at the Vaiola Hospital, and recently handed over in September, 2022, the participants were exposed to sophisticated medical equipment and setup of the ICU unit. Dr. ‘Ana ‘Akauola along with Anaesthetist Specialists, Dr. Apaitia Goneyali and Dr. Vika Lemoto briefed and assisted team during the tour. The ICU unit was installed through Japan’s ODA at USD$3.5million, included five ICU rooms, medical equipment, an independent power backup generator, an oxygen plant and a water treatment system.
At the Tonga Broadcasting Commission new headquarters, the participants were familiarized to technical equipment installed for emergency radio communication and early warning sound alert system for immediate response, in an event of a disaster. The headquarters is one of the main components of the NEWS Project valued at USD$30million dollars funded through Japan’s ODA, was handed over also last month.
Media representatives were appreciative of the Press Tour, having to know more and know better about Japan’s ODA toward Tonga.
The half-day Press Tour was supported by JICA-Tonga Office, Tonga’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of MEIDECC and Tonga Broadcasting Commission.
H.E. Mr. MUNENAGA Kensaku, Ambassador of Japan to Tonga joined the tour and acknowledged collaboration of local media to learn better about Japan’s ODA Projects. Two projects of the Press Tour were the Project for Capacity Development of ICU using Telemedicine under COVID-19, at the Vaiola Hospital, and the Project for Introduction of Nationwide Early Warning System and Strengthening Disaster Communications (NEWS Project) at the new Tonga Broadcasting Commission headquarters at Fasi mo e Afi.
Visiting the new Intensive Care Unit installed at the Vaiola Hospital, and recently handed over in September, 2022, the participants were exposed to sophisticated medical equipment and setup of the ICU unit. Dr. ‘Ana ‘Akauola along with Anaesthetist Specialists, Dr. Apaitia Goneyali and Dr. Vika Lemoto briefed and assisted team during the tour. The ICU unit was installed through Japan’s ODA at USD$3.5million, included five ICU rooms, medical equipment, an independent power backup generator, an oxygen plant and a water treatment system.
At the Tonga Broadcasting Commission new headquarters, the participants were familiarized to technical equipment installed for emergency radio communication and early warning sound alert system for immediate response, in an event of a disaster. The headquarters is one of the main components of the NEWS Project valued at USD$30million dollars funded through Japan’s ODA, was handed over also last month.
Media representatives were appreciative of the Press Tour, having to know more and know better about Japan’s ODA toward Tonga.
The half-day Press Tour was supported by JICA-Tonga Office, Tonga’s Ministry of Health, Ministry of MEIDECC and Tonga Broadcasting Commission.