Tonga marks historic milestone with first domestic joint replacement surgeries

A significant advancement in specialist healthcare has been achieved in the Kingdom of Tonga, where the nation’s first ten joint replacement surgeries were recently completed at Vaiola Hospital. As reported by ABC Pacific’s Nesia Daily Afternoon Edition on Tuesday 13 October 2026, the milestone offers a new path for Tongan residents who previously suffered from chronic pain or were forced to seek expensive treatment abroad. The initiative was spearheaded by New Zealand orthopaedic surgeon Dr John van Dalen, who led the effort to establish the domestic service. For years, Tongans requiring hip or knee replacements faced limited options, often enduring years of mobility issues. The successful surgeries in late September follow an extensive period of preparation, including years of dedicated fundraising and necessary infrastructure upgrades to the hospital’s operating theatres and sterilisation facilities. Speaking to presenter Melissa Maykin, Dr Charlotte Fakahau Tu'imana highlighted the profound impact this development will have on the community. Dr Tu'imana noted that the historic achievement brings new hope for patients and marks a shift toward sustainable specialist care within the kingdom. Local Tongan medical staff were involved throughout every stage of the project, ensuring that the skills and knowledge required for such complex procedures remain within the local health system. The project underscores a successful collaboration between international specialists and local practitioners. By performing these surgeries at home at Vaiola Hospital, the team has not only addressed the immediate physical needs of the ten patients but also laid the groundwork for the future of orthopaedic surgery in Tonga. This achievement is seen as a major step forward in regional health equity, providing Indigenous Pacific people with access to life-changing medical procedures in their own community.