The PEARLS (POCUS for Emergency and Acute care in Resource-Limited Settings) programme has delivered Emergency and Critical Care POCUS training over several years, supported by NZMTS, along with ongoing mentoring and the development of local POCUS champions.

Dr ’Eliesa Tonga Ma’u is one such clinician whose skills have been strengthened through this sustained effort. 

As a Junior Registrar in Emergency Medicine, Dr Ma’u recently encountered a critically unwell patient — an experience that demonstrated the life-saving value of the training he received. 

“I came into my shift that morning and was alerted by the nurse to this young male 31yrs of age who was having shortness of breath and respiratory distress. I noticed he looked ‘shocky’ and there was bruising on his left anterior chest wall consistent with blunt trauma.” 

 Using POCUS skills Dr Ma’u immediately initiated a bedside assessment. 

“I grabbed the ultrasound and scanned the left lung. When I put the probe on his left upper quadrant, I was able to see a lot of free-fluid in the left pleural cavity. I decided that this boy was having a tension haemothorax and needed a chest drain asap without having to wait for the chest x-ray.” 

A chest drain was inserted, releasing nearly two litres of blood. 

“Post-chest drain, he was now more stable than when I first saw him.” 

Dr Ma’u credits his training for giving him the confidence and capability to act quickly. 

“I learned FAST scanning, Needle Guidance, POCUS Echo and Lung ultrasound… and with these skills I obtained from the training I was able to diagnose the haemothorax on the spot without waiting for the chest x-ray and acted promptly to treat my patient appropriately and effectively.” 

NZMTS-supported POCUS — an innovative, portable diagnostic tool — has become increasingly essential in Tonga, particularly where access to formal radiology services is limited. Tongan clinicians can now rapidly assess patients, detect life-threatening conditions early, and make informed decisions under pressure. 

Dr Ma’u, now Tonga’s first PEARLS-POCUS instructor, is also able to train other local health workers; an important step toward strengthening sustainable, in-country capacity. 

Supported by the New Zealand Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade and coordinated by the Pasifika Medical Association Group, the NZMTS remains dedicated to building resilient health systems and strengthening specialist capability across the Pacific.