We are delighted to share that VSA has received a grant of $7,500 from Nikau Foundation’s Margaret Neave Endowment Fund, which will be used alongside VSA network donations to support the cost of newly developed vital signs charts for Vaiola Hospital in Nuku’alofa, Tonga.
Dr ’Ana ’Akau’ola, Medical Superintendent at Vaiola Hospital, and Marcelle Mafi, current VSA volunteer in the capacity of Nurse Educator at Vaiola Hospital, say the funding will have a significant impact for the people of Tonga. Shortly after Marcelle began her assignment at the hospital, an external review found that Vaiola Hospital was facing a serious crisis, partially due to delayed escalation of patient care, which had contributed to patient deaths.
As a result, Dr ’Ana, Matron Akessa, and Marcelle introduced the Early Warning Score Chart, which helps identify early warning signs of deterioration in patients. The Margaret Neave Endowment Fund grant, as well as other VSA donations, will be used to help to print and distribute these Early Warning Score Charts at Vaiola Hospital, Tonga’s national hospital, potentially saving many lives.
‘If we use this chart well, we can save a lot of patients’ lives by picking up the early signs of deterioration,’ says Dr ’Ana, ‘so our doctors and nurses can attend to the patients before a catastrophe occurs.’
The Margaret Neave Endowment Fund commemorates the life of Dr Margaret Neave, a Wellington-born doctor who dedicated her career to providing medicine, healing, and comfort to marginalised children across Asia and the Pacific. After her death in 2007, her legacy was continued through the creation of the Margaret Neave Trust, which provided financial support for charities here and abroad helping children and other vulnerable communities in need. In 2019, the Margaret Neave Trust was transferred to Nikau Foundation to ensure Margaret’s generosity would continue to be felt for generations to come.
‘We are so pleased to be able to support this important project for Vaiola Hospital in Tonga – a cause we are sure would be close to Margaret’s heart,’ says Nikau Foundation Acting Executive Director, Denisa Calian. ‘It is so special to be able to continue her legacy in such a powerful way.’
VSA would like to thank both Nikau Foundation’s Margaret Neave Endowment Fund and our generous donors for making this development possible.
