We all had the opportunity to participate in the Tonga Primary School Health Screening which took place at various elementary schools around the island of Tongatapu. We accompanied Dr. Toa Fakakovi, the Medical  Superintendant and the head of the Rhumatic Heart Disease (RHD) research project. Assisting her with these screenings was Sara Hope, Pediatric Cardiologist from Monash Heart Medical Center in Melbourne, Australia, and Anne Hope who transcribed the results. Two Cardiac Sonographers from Melbourne, Australia, Stuart Cox from Monash Heart Medical Center and Dianne Bruce from Melbourne Heart Care performed the ultrasounds and ECG’s. Also involved were three Pediatric Registered Nurses: Melesia Kautia, Atelina Mafiles, and Mina Luisa Eliesa. They utilized an ultrasound machine while performing these screenings that was donated by Melbourne Heart Care in Melbourne, Australia. This proved to be an essential resource in this research project.

The purpose of this screening was to test primary school children for RHD by ultrasound and echocardiograms. In Tonga RHD is prevalent because Streptococcus Aureus infections which cause RHD, often go undiagnosed and untreated. Therefore, this screening is exceedingly important in this community.

Our goal when we came here was to try and make a difference. By being a small part of this project we felt like we were able to contribute to the improvement of their healthcare through prevention and early detection. We all felt a sense of accomplishment by participating in this worthy cause.

One thing that would further benefit this team of professionals would be extra funds for a van so they can travel to various locations together. This would enhance the efficiency of the screenings while also reducing travel costs.

We all thoroughly enjoyed this experience and are looking forward to helping out with further clinics in this community.

Carol Scobie

Denaka Bremner

Jenna Taggart

Britney Mullett

Rose Daniels

Kirsten Noel

Rebecca Bowen

Lewanna Unger

Tonga is a beautiful country with lush vegetation, beautiful beaches and a relaxed and connected community.  In arriving here as a nursing student from Canada, it has been an interesting and exciting experience adjusting to the climate (winter here but like our summer at home- only more humid!), and the relaxed and serene pace of life.

Staying in the dorms with some of the other nursing students has been quite a unique opportunity – the students here are generous and welcoming, inviting us into their lives and sharing not only their home but also the every-day things with us – for example the other day just walking through the courtyard of the residence, one of the students who was eating sugar cane that she had walked into town to buy stopped me and offered me a large piece to share . . . and was helpful to tell me how to peel and eat it!.  This generosity they laugh off when we thank them, telling us that it is “the Tongan Way”. 

That has been the overwhelming attitude that I have noticed in Tonga – the sense of inter-connection and community, firmly rooted in the values and traditions of the island, yet welcoming and enthusiastic to connect with us, the Canadian students.

Lewanna

The departure date for the field school heading to Tonga is April 27, 2010.

Photo Credit: ASB Polyfest 2008 Wesley College Tonga Group from Richard  Sihamau. Used under Creative Commons license