Children in Prince Wellington Ngu hospital in Vava'u inhaling asbestos Featured
Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital in Vava'u
30 September, 2016. Several patients at the paediatric ward of a hospital in Tonga's Vava'u islands are suffering from health issues due to the inhalation of asbestos.
Radio Tonga reports the toxic chemical is contained within roofing materials of the Prince Wellington Ngu hospital.
Chief Medical Superintendent John Lee Taione said there is evidence that several children are being affected, because of exposure to asbestos from the leaking roof after heavy rain.
Dr Taione said asbestos can cause lung cancer.
Government spokesman Paula Ma'u said a New Zealand company will be in Tonga next month to remove all asbestos from the hospital.
Dr Taione said the removal of the roof will have to be conducted one room at a time as there is no place for patients to be evacuated to.
He said if people need medical treatment, staff may have to conduct treatment in patients' homes.
-RNZI
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Tau vakai ange Tonga, ko e átunga e étau masiva $$$ pea hulu mo étau moúi fakafalala ki he ngaahi fonua muli ko hono áto áki e kemikale kona hotau falemahaki. Ófa ke tau ngaue fakapotopoto mo matuáki tokanga áupito í ha ngaahi langa fonua ámui ke hao mo malu hotau kakai mei ha ngaahi ngaue taéílo mo taétokanga pehe ni. Malo hono faifai pea lava ke fakahoko hono toó éni he óku mahino ia heíkai faálaua e tokolahi ia kuo usesia mei he kemikale kona ko ;eni. Ko e meá ia óku fuú fiemaú ai ke teke malohi e ngaahi tuútuú ni ngaue mo e lao ki he langa hange koe EIA (Environment Impact Assessment) pea fakangaueí ha niíhi kuo nau maú taukei mo e ílo feúnga ki he faáhinga élia pehe ni, ki he naunau ke ngaueáki, ki he feituú teu fai ai e ngaue, ko e átuanga e ko e pehe pe ko e tokoni, ko e óiaue malo e ófa íkai ílo ia ko e dump mai ia e veve kona ki Tonga Masiva Fakafalala Noaía.