Health

Health

Medical Facilities:

Medical facilities in Vava'u, Tonga are limited. The city of Neiafu has hospital with emergency and outpatient facilities, and Italian clinic. Local residents and visitors with serious medical problems are often referred to New Zealand for treatment. Doctors and hospitals often expect immediate cash payment for health services.

Medical Insurance:

U.S. medical insurance is not always valid outside the United States. U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States. Uninsured travelers who require medical care overseas may face extreme difficulties. Check with your own insurance company to confirm whether your policy applies overseas, including provision for medical evacuation.

Agriculture Requirements

Tonga is a country, which carefully guards itself against human, animal and vegetable pests and diseases. It is free of all the serious plant and animal pests and diseases and it wants to maintain this privileged state. The importation of vegetable matter, seeds, or any animal product is prohibited without the relevant import permits from the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forests.

A permit is required also for the importation of cats, dogs and other live animals. Such animals will require to be kept in quarantine isolation on arrival. The length of such isolation periods will depend on the country of origin of these animals. Quarantine officers are stationed at the international airports at Nuku'alofa and Neiafu and the ports of entry for vessels.

Health risks: There is some chance of hepatitis or bacterial infection.