Photo: RNZI / Koro Vaka'uta
The Tonga government has announced it is buying a new mammogram machine for Vaiola Hospital.
The machine will be bought with aid support from Australia and is expected to cost AU$250,000.
Vaiola Hospital has been without a mammogram machine since 2015 and as a result, the number of detected cases annually dropped by 50 per cent.
The prime minister Hu'akavameiliku Siaosi Sovaleni said women's health is a priority for the government.
He said "breast cancer remains one of the most common cancers for Tongan women'.
"The mammogram machine will ensure doctors can detect cancer early, and women can get treatment as soon as possible.
"I want to commend the Breast Cancer Society of Tonga and the Ministry of Health for their tireless work to raise awareness of breast cancer and bringing attention to the importance of procuring this machine."
Australian high commissioner Rachael Moore said they have a twenty-year partnership with the health ministry in Tonga to strengthen health services.
"This is another great example of working with the prime minister, health and finance ministries to address the priorities of the government and the people of Tonga."
The mammogram machine is expected to arrive in 2024.