A volunteer New Zealand surgical team has completed seven joint replacements in three days at Vaiola Hospital in Nuku'alofa, including the first hip and knee replacements ever performed in Tonga.
The team, led by Whanganui orthopaedic surgeon Dr John van Dalen, began operating on Monday and expects to complete around 10 joint replacements by the end of the week.
The milestone means patients who previously had to travel overseas for joint replacement surgery — or continue living with severe pain and disability — can now receive the surgery in Tonga.
“Everything has gone extremely well,” Dr van Dalen said. “The team has been incredibly supportive, as has the local surgical and nursing team.”
Day one – Monday 28 September
The team completed three operations on its first day.
The first was a right total knee replacement — the first joint replacement ever performed in Tonga.
That was followed by a partial hip replacement for an elderly woman with a broken hip and a total hip replacement for an elderly man with severe arthritis.
“Surgery was straightforward, and the nursing staff were excellent and supportive,” Dr van Dalen said.
Day two – Tuesday 29 September
Two further knee replacements were completed, bringing the total to five.
The first was a particularly complex case involving a patient who had lived with severe arthritis, pain and stiffness for years.
The team also checked on the patients from day one, who were recovering well. The woman who received Tonga’s first knee replacement was already sitting up and bending her new joint.
In a second operating theatre, a trauma team led by Christchurch surgeon Dr Tom Sharp carried out fracture surgery.
The team also assessed several patients with complex orthopaedic problems, including one case that was discussed remotely with a specialist colleague in New Zealand.
Day three – Wednesday 30 September
Two more knee replacements were completed, bringing the total to seven.
Both operations went well.
In the second theatre, Dr Sharp treated a fractured tibia using an intramedullary rod and later operated on an elbow fracture.
Dr van Dalen also spoke with local media about the programme and plans to return once or twice in 2027 to carry out up to 25 further joint replacements.
“All in all, the day has gone extremely well,” he said. “The team is incredibly supportive, as well as the local team.”
The New Zealand High Commission office hosted the visiting team for dinner that evening.
On Thursday, the team plans to perform another knee and hip replacement, with approximately 10 joint replacements expected to be completed during the week.
Eight years in the making
The joint replacement programme follows eight years of work and fundraising by the Rotary Clubs of Whanganui North and Nuku'alofa.
With major support from the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the Plymouth Brethren Christian Church and its Rapid Relief Team, more than US$500,000 was raised to build three new operating theatres and renovate Vaiola Hospital’s sterilisation department.
The new facilities have made it possible for more complex surgery, including joint replacements, to be carried out in Tonga.
Prosthesis (Joint implants) are supplied by Zimmer Biomet.
Until now, Tongan patients requiring hip or knee replacements generally had to fund treatment overseas or continue living with the pain and disability caused by severe joint disease.
The team
The volunteer team includes:
- Dr John van Dalen – orthopaedic surgeon
- Dr Geoff Spenser – anaesthetist
- Lynette Sweetman – nurse
- Lydia Sargent – nurse
- Steve Flaunty – logistics
They are working alongside Vaiola Hospital’s surgical and nursing teams.
Tongan surgeon Dr Tevita Tu'ungafasi, who trained in Whanganui, will oversee follow-up care after the visiting team returns to New Zealand.
Funding the next 25 joint replacements
The Rotary Club of Whanganui North has established a Givealittle campaign to fund a further 25 joint replacements in Tonga in 2027.
Each replacement costs approximately NZ$8,000, including implants, equipment and travel costs — around a quarter of the cost of a private joint replacement in New Zealand.
The fundraising target is NZ$200,000.
Donate on Givealittle (opens in a new tab)
Media coverage and resources
Matangi Tonga reported on the first operations on 29 September: First-ever joint replacement surgeries performed at Vaiola Hospital
A press conference with the Ministry of Health, Dr Tangi, Dr John van Dalen and Dr Geoff Spenser was livestreamed by Broadcom FM 87.5 on Wednesday 30 September: Watch the video
Project website and day-by-day updates
High-resolution photos with captions and credits
Media contact
Dr John van Dalen
Orthopaedic surgeon and team leader
[email protected]
+64 27 438 4230
Currently in Tonga — email or text preferred.
Josh van Dalen
Photos and background information
[email protected]