Photo courtesy: UNICEF Pacific/2024/Herwig. Retrieved from reliefweb.int
On a small island 180km from the capital city of Tonga lives 60-year-old Ilaisaane Fahamokioa, fondly known as sister Saane, and for her this is routine.
Based at King Tupou Hospital on Ha’apai, Saane and her team are responsible for delivering lifesaving vaccines to the some of the most remote island communities of Tonga.
Saane brings with her over 40 years of experience and determination to provide essential healthcare services to every person in the 13 island communities that fall under her care.
The quest to reach every child requires unmatched strength and commitment, as Saane and her team embark on eight-day rotations that take them around the Ha’apai group of islands.
On their usual rotation, their journey begins at the dock at the main island in Lifuka District. From Lifuka, the nurses begin the 80km sea journey to the furthest district of Nomuka. This is followed by a Ha’afeva, Uiha and Kao District.