Latest news with #AnaAkauola
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Health
- RNZ News
Tonga's health system 'fully restored' after cyber attack with Australia's help
Tonga's Health Minister Dr ʻAna ʻAkauʻola said that the system has been fully restored. Photo: 123RF Problems resulting from a cyber attack on Tonga's Health Information System appear to have been resolved. The assault on the system a month ago led to a demand by the hackers for a ransom of one million dollars. RNZ Pacific Tonga correspondent Kalafi Moala updated us about the latest developments. (This transcript has been edited for brevity and clarity.) KALAFI MOALA: The system was hacked, the health information system, and they asked for payment of a million dollars to have the system back. The government or the Ministry of Health refused to make any payments. In the meantime, they called for help to Australia, who sent their expertise to help them out. The way the Minister of Health (Dr ʻAna ʻAkauʻola) described it was that it was within 48 hours they were able to call for help, and immediately there was a response. And it was very, very key in helping them restore the system. DON WISEMAN: The presumption has always been that these villains located overseas. Do we know any more about that? KM: No, there's nothing that has been revealed, or at least that has been disclosed from the ministry, other than the fact that they're from overseas. They couldn't put a face to them. In other words, they were not any individuals, just that there was a group that did that. But the talk, of course, the guesses in town is that probably there's a group overseas that had local connections that did the hacking. DW: The Australians have left. Have they left a system in place that's stronger than it was before they made that announcement? KM: The Minister of Health made that announcement yesterday (Wednesday), saying that the system has been fully restored. She used the term, saying there's still some gaps, but they're back into it. I think with the restoration of the system, they also have had a backup, so that if this thing happens again, they've got a backup to the information system. DW: Tongans who had health issues, or have health issues, had been told that they needed to take what information they had. Hand written, I guess, information they had to take into appointments, outpatient appointments and so on. That's not still happening? KM: Well, no, that's not happening. But they were basically responding to the shock that came from people saying, what's going to happen to us now if we're going to go in when some of the patients don't even know the kind of records they get. For example, things that they are allergic to, the kind of medication and its details that they were given. So, the restoration of the system really recovers all of that without having the patient to be able to come into the hospital and and try to bring up all that information. I think it's really good, and it's returned to what it was. DW: I guess the officials and health are very concerned about things and so with the government. But to what extent did it bother the people? KM: Well, it really was a scare for people. Look, the immediate response was, what does this mean for me? The thing is, a patient, 'I've got my own personal information in somebody else's hands, who's a criminal who not only stole it, but basically are demanding money for the returning of that information. But one of the issues is that Tonga is turning to become digital in so many of its services, like you go to apply now for birth certificate, marriage certificate, and all those things are being now, including visas, being now done digitally. And so that transition, it means that all the government systems are going to be digital. This hacking that took place, it's like a warning that we need to be careful in what we're doing, and we need to have backup systems, and that security is so important as Tonga is becoming more digital in its government services.
RNZ News
17-07-2025
- Politics
- RNZ News
Pacific news in brief for 16 July
Tonga's Health Minister Dr ʻAna ʻAkauʻola said that the system has been fully restored. Photo: 123RF Tonga's National Health Information System - hacked three weeks ago in a cyber attack - is now back in action. Health Minister Dr ʻAna ʻAkauʻola said that the system has been fully restored. Australia sent a Cyber Rapid Response team to recover the system but they've now returned home. Dr ʻAkauʻola said health staff and Tonga's computer emergency response team have been working to get all patient data secured. So far, only four patient records have appeared on the dark web. Earlier reports said the hackers had demanded a US$1 million ransom, which the government refused to pay. Samoa's caretaker Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata'afa has officially launched her new party's election manifesto. Fiame told supporters that Samoa Uniting Party (SUP) has risen from the ashes of her former FAST Party. She says SUP has been formed in response to political turmoil and internal divisions. Local media reports the lineup includes three women and 23 men, most of whom are current caretaker ministers. Notable absentees from the party's ticket are caretaker ministers Mauʻu Siaosi Puʻepuʻemai and Seuula Ioane Tuāʻau. Mauʻu has opted to run as an independent, while Seuula will not contest this election. Despite running independently, Mauʻu was seen at the SUP manifesto launch, raising questions about potential post-election alignments. Observers say his future support could be pivotal. Fijian Prime Minister Sitiveni Rabuka says his vision for a peaceful and secure Pacific region is under threat. Rabuka told the Pacific Regional and National Security Conference that his 'Ocean of Peace' project cannot come to be in the current geopolitical environment. He said security in the region must be taken seriously. The conference brings together leaders from across the Pacific, with climate change, unregulated fishing, and organised crime on the agenda. Vanuatu's Climate Minister Ralph Regenvanu believes the decision from the International Court of Justice (ICJ) will be a turning point for climate justice. The decision from the ICJ on countries responsibilities for climate change is due next week. Vanuatu and Pacific climate advocates brought the case to the UN in 2023 seeking an opinion from the world court on the legal obligations of states in relation to climate change. Regenvanu said that he is anticipating to see a clear recognition that climate inaction is unlawful. The government of Nauru has appointed Australian Brian Phelps as chief executive of its new Virtual Asset Authority. Legislation has already been passed to regulate virtual assets in the hopes one of the smallest countries in the world will become a crypto hub. Nauru President David Adeang said Phelps' vast experience will ensure the Command Ridge Virtual Asset Authority (CRVAA) will meet the government's goal of attracting businesses that bring investment, job creation, and financial innovation to the nation. The Nauru government said that Phelps has worked extensively with regulators, industry bodies and government, and served for 21 years at CommSec, Australia's largest online stockbroking firm and subsidiary of the Commonwealth Bank. The New Zealand auditor-general John Ryan has highlighted recurring challenges in the latest audit report of the Niue government. Ryan told local media that while there have been recent improvements, Niue still faces issues in terms of capability and capacity to prepare financial statements for annual audits. After many years of delays, the government's audit reports are finally up to date with the help of Deloitte New Zealand. Ryan said it is critical Niue remains up to date, as failing behind again could lead to significant costs. A candidate contesting the Northern Marianas' US House of Representatives seat has expressed concern about the impact President Donald Trump's "big beautiful bill" will have on the Commonwealth of Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI). The bill was passed on 4 July. Galvin Deleon Guerrero told Marianas Press he applauds the effort to stimulate economic investments through tax exempts, tax breaks and supporting small businesses. However, he said the cuts to programmes and the silence on specific provisions that benefit the CNMI concerned him.
Scoop
20-06-2025
- Health
- Scoop
Tonga's Health System Hit By Cyberattack
A team of Australian cyber experts flew to Tonga this week after the country's National Health Information System was breached, leading to a demand for payment from the hackers. Talanoa O Tonga reports the Health Minister Dr Ana Akauola saying the system has been shut down, and staff are handling data manually. Dr Akauola said that hackers encrypted the system and demanded payment, but she has assured MPs "the hackers won't damage the information" on the system. This system was introduced in 2019 with Asian Development Bank (ADB) support to digitise Tonga's health records before going "live" in 2021. Police Minister Paula Piukala was critical of past governments for ignoring warnings that Tonga's digital infrastructure is not fully prepared for these threats. Journalist Sifa Pomana said the hackers are demanding millions of dollars, according to Tonga Police. Residents are being urged to bring essential records to the hospital to help with manual record-keeping.
