A tribute to Tonga’s first ENT specialist

A paediatric surgeon and Associate Dr Leiukamea Saafi was a person of many talents and Tonga’s first consultant specialist for ear nose and throat (ENT). Dr Saafi founded the ENT clinic at the Vaiola Hospital in Tonga in 1987. His surgical Otolaryngology, Head and Neck specialty service to the people of Tonga for more than 30 years was exceptional.

Dr Leiukamea Saafi

Over the years, the ENT service in Tonga improved through Dr Saafi’s leadership and his team’s collaboration with specialists from Australia. His clinical team participated in the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) funded Pacific Island Program (PIP), managed by the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons (RACS). This program contributed by providing surgical services and equipment and the training of in-country ENT personnel for many years.

RACS Global Health pays its respects to the late Dr Saafi and his family and thanks him for his continual encouragement and work to support the RACS Global Health visiting medical teams. His humble nature and good sense of humour will be remembered by many of the RACS Global Health volunteers who visited Tonga.