Non-communicable diseases currently account for over 70 per cent of all deaths in Tonga, posing one of the country’s most pressing health challenges.

As part of a three-year project financed by the World Bank, UNOPS will provide advisory support and capacity building to the Ministry of Health’s Project Management Unit to improve the management of non-communicable diseases, expand access to climate-resilient health services in the Northern Islands, and strengthen emergency response readiness.

The project will support the development of the Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital, strengthening the national healthcare system’s ability to prevent, detect and manage non-communicable diseases. This will help reduce avoidable deaths and long-term health impacts across the population.

“This initiative reflects UNOPS commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States like Tonga in building resilient and inclusive health systems,” said Samina Kadwani, Director of UNOPS South East Asia and Pacific Multi-Country Office.

“By working closely with national counterparts and leveraging global best practices, we aim to ensure that the people of Tonga are better protected against both chronic health threats and acute emergencies,” she added.

UNOPS will provide project planning and coordination support, procurement advisory services, and guidance throughout the bidding and contracting process. It will also assist in contract management, quality assurance, risk analysis and mitigation, monitoring and reporting, and capacity building – particularly in asset management.

The development of the Prince Wellington Ngu Hospital is a cornerstone of Tonga’s broader effort to enhance its healthcare infrastructure, particularly for remote and vulnerable populations in the outer islands.

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