Health and telecast: a milestone for Tonga into the 21st century.

An efficient Telehealth system for Tonga is currently but a dream. The kingdom of Tonga consists of 36 inhabited islands occupying 669 kms2 and a population of 97,784 (1996). There is a referral hospital in the Capital and three other district hospitals, 14 peripheral health centres, 32 maternal child health clinics and eight general practitioners. Within the kingdom the use of the telephone, telegram and some use of fax are the main ways of contact between the hospitals and the more remote health centres. Patients needing specialty care not available locally are referred, and possibly transferred, to New Zealand from the referral hospital in the Capital. There are seldom any communications with other health professionals or institutions through telecast. This article details the present situation and discusses the perceived advantages and difficulties in establishing a functional Telehealth service in Tonga.