Tonga’s public spending on health was 4.4 per cent of GDP in 2010, equivalent to US$219 per capita. In the most recent survey, conducted in the period 1997-2010, there were 56 doctors, and 388 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people. Additionally, in the period 2007-12, 98 per cent of births were attended by qualified health staff, and in 2012, 95 per cent of one-year-olds were immunised with one dose of measles. In 2011, 99 per cent of people were using an improved drinking water source and 92 per cent had access to adequate sanitation facilities. The most recent survey, conducted in the period 2000-11, reports that Tonga has 15 pharmaceutical personnel per 100,000 people.
The Ministry of Health controls Tonga’s national health care system, which provides health care and medication free of charge. Tonga has 14 health care centres, which are staffed by one health officer and less than four nurses. Each centre supports around 7,200 people. The centres are supported by four hospitals. There are also a small number of private health care providers – these tend to be either traditional healers or private clinics run after hours by government doctors. Tongan hospitals tend to have limited outpatient and emergency facilities. There are no pharmaceutical manufacturers or wholesalers in Tonga – the country imports all of its pharmaceutical requirements. The pharmaceutical sector in Tonga is not extensively regulated and there are no legal restrictions on pharmaceutical sales to licensed outlets.
There is dedicated mental health legislation in the Mental Health Act, which was initiated and last revised in 2001. There are 5.8 mental health outpatient facilities and one psychiatric hospital with 21.1 beds available per 100,000 people (2011).
