China’s Medical Diplomacy Makes History in Tonga: First Laparoscopic Gynaecological Surgery Performed at Vaiola Hospital
Nukuʻalofa, Tonga — May 4, 2025
In a landmark moment for Tonga’s health system, a Chinese medical team has successfully performed the country’s first-ever laparoscopic gynaecological surgery at Vaiola Hospital, marking a significant advancement in surgical care for women in the Kingdom.
The procedure was carried out on a 31-year-old woman, Salote, who was diagnosed with a pelvic cystic mass during a free clinic organized by the fifth cohort of the Chinese medical team stationed in Tonga. Traditionally, such a condition would have required Salote to travel overseas—to New Zealand or Australia—for specialized treatment. With limited local access to advanced medical technologies and expertise, most women in her position would have faced open surgery or forgo treatment altogether.
However, Chinese surgeon Dr. Zhang Haifeng, after thoroughly evaluating her case, opted to conduct a minimally invasive laparoscopic procedure—a decision that would ultimately spare Salote from the prolonged recovery and complications often associated with open surgery. Despite the existence of laparoscopic equipment donated in previous years, local staff lacked the training to operate it.
“Laparoscopic surgery minimizes trauma and speeds up recovery,” Dr. Zhang explained. “It was the best option for a young woman who has not yet had children.”
The surgery, which lasted just under an hour, successfully removed the ovarian tumour and was declared a success. Salote is now recovering well, and her case is being hailed as a powerful example of how international partnerships can directly improve lives in the Pacific.
Tonga’s Minister of Health, Hon. Dr. Ana ‘Akau‘ola, praised the achievement and emphasized the broader potential of this breakthrough. “This milestone not only changed one life—it signals a shift in what’s possible for our health system. We hope our local doctors can gain from this expertise so that more women in Tonga can benefit from less invasive, more advanced treatments in the future.”
China’s Broader Medical Assistance in Tonga and the Pacific
This surgery is just one example of China’s growing medical footprint in Tonga and the wider Pacific region. The current team, sent by China’s Shandong Provincial Health Commission, arrived in Tonga in July 2024 and consists of six highly trained medical professionals. Since their deployment, they have treated over 3,000 patients through regular hospital consultations and outreach clinics across the islands.
China’s health aid to Tonga dates back nearly two decades and includes the donation of medical equipment, dispatching of specialist teams, training of local personnel, and infrastructure support. In recent years, China has also supported the construction and refurbishment of health facilities in some Pacific Island nations, including Fiji, Samoa, and the Solomon Islands.
In Tonga, these partnerships have helped relieve pressure on the country’s overstretched health system by:
- Providing specialist care that is not locally available;
- Delivering free clinics to outer islands and underserved communities;
- Donating essential diagnostic and surgical equipment;
- Offering on-the-job training and knowledge sharing with Tongan medical staff.
These efforts are part of a broader “Health Silk Road” initiative by Beijing, aimed at enhancing health resilience in partner countries. While some critics question the geopolitical motives behind such engagements, the immediate health benefits for Pacific peoples—like Salote—are undeniable.
As Tonga continues to confront rising rates of non-communicable diseases, reproductive health challenges, and limited access to specialist care, partnerships like these offer a valuable bridge to better health outcomes.
For Salote and many others, it is not just about the politics—it is about dignity, access, and the chance to recover close to home, surrounded by family.
Melino Maka
Tonga Independent News
