Our work in Tonga

Our work in Tonga

The WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific, located in Suva, Fiji, operates under the umbrella of the Western Pacific regional office, and our role is to act as a catalyst and advocate for action at all levels, from local to global, on health issues of public concern. We work together with a broad spectrum of partners from all sectors of society, WHO is involved in a host of closely related public health activities; including research, evaluation, awareness raising and resource mobilization.

 

Pacific Islands–WHO multi-country cooperation strategy 2024–2029

The Pacific Islands–WHO Multi-country Cooperation Strategy 2024–2029, or MCCS, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) through a consultative process involving 21 Pacific Island countries and areas (PICs), outlines WHO’s comprehensive and tailored medium-term support plan in the Pacific. This summary provides an overview of the MCCS, highlighting its alignment with regional and global health strategies.

 

Health system and health situation

Tonga’s health system includes central hospitals, peripheral health centres and communitybased services. Key health challenges include rising rates of NCDs such as diabetes, obesity, heart disease and cancer. Communicable diseases such as tuberculosis, STIs and VPDs persist. Tonga is also vulnerable to climate change impacts and natural disasters. The small population spread across islands strains health service capacity and workforce.

Priorities to address Tonga’s health needs include NCD prevention and control through lifestyle changes, improving sexual and reproductive health services, enhancing disease surveillance systems, resilient infrastructure development and decentralized service delivery with enabling patient referral. Reaching the unreached will be key to eliminating communicable diseases in Tonga. Leveraging strong local community leadership and social networks will help drive PHC access and health promotion to underserved populations. Partnerships, including development cooperation, provide avenues for health systems strengthening.

 

Pacific Islands–WHO multi-country strategic priorities

PRIORITY 1. Achieve universal health coverage

The MCCS emphasizes UHC as a critical regional priority, advocating for equitable access to quality health care for all Pacific islanders. The focus is on integrating and upgrading health services, conducting assessments, fostering partnerships, and advocating for supportive policies and good governance.

PRIORITY 2. Address noncommunicable diseases

Tackling the burden of NCDs is highlighted, with a focus on affordable access to medications, diagnostics and multisectoral action, as well as building a skilled health workforce. Evidencebased policies and programmes targeting risk factors are encouraged, along with comprehensive strategies for NCD prevention, treatment and control.

PRIORITY 3. Build resilience to health threats

The MCCS emphasizes the vulnerability of PICs to health threats, including climate change, emergencies and disease outbreaks. Building resilience involves conducting assessments, improving early warning systems and promoting climate-resilient health infrastructure. Collaboration and sharing of best practices are vital for building regional resilience.

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