PSC Launches Investigation into the Ministry of Health

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 08 MARCH 2022: The Public Service Commission (PSC) has launched a major investigation into the Ministry of Health and specifically on the procurement of a Computerized Tomography (CT) Scanner for the National Hospital.

The Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Lauano Vaosa Epa confirmed with Talamua that the investigation is on a directive from Cabinet.

“The investigation is on-going, although it is presently delayed due to the current situation of the COVID 19 and the need for MOH to re-assign and commit most of their available staff to assist as and where necessary,” said Lauano.

Samoa has been without a CT scanner for two years and patients had been transferred to be scanned in American Samoa or New Zealand.

A CT Scanner provides more-detailed information for patients’ diagnosis.

Obtaining a CT scanner for the National hospital was one of the priorities the Samoa Medical Association pushed for when they first met the new Minister of Health, Valasi Togamaga Tafito Selesele when the  FAST Government took office nine months ago.

During Parliament session on 3 February 2022, the Minister for the Accident Compensation Corporation (ACC) that funded the new scanner, Leatinu’u Sooialo Wayne Fong informed the country that the US$1.5 million CT Scanner was on route and would arrive in the country on 12 February 2022.

He explained that the CT scanner was funded by ACC and was bought from a company in Shanghai, China.

Leatinu’u explained that the $3,554,268.40 talā had already been paid with the balance to be settled once the scanner is installed and fully operational.

Part of the purchase was buying spare parts for the old scanner to make it work so that two scanners would be in working condition to avoid the current situation.

Confusion as to the CT Scanners whereabouts
In a recent interview with the Minister for Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele, he said the CT Scanner had arrived but there was no technician to install it. However, a health official said the technician was in quarantine but the scanner has not arrived.

Yesterday, the Samoa Medical Association (SMA) President, Papali’i Dr. Tito Kamu confirmed that the scanner was in the country but there was no technician to install it.

Papali’i also explained that the Ministry had two CT Scanners, the old one that can be wheeled around from ward to ward and the one now to be replaced by the new one.

As of today, the Ministry of Health is still without a CT Scanner hence the investigation.

The CT scanner provides more-detailed information for patients’ diagnosis and makes the local medical team work easier in diagnosis and to determine if patients require medical assistance abroad or not.

Samoa had been using the services of a technician from Guam to do regular maintenance on the specialized piece of equipment.