PSC to submit report to Government on CT scanner

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 26 APRIL 2022: The Chairperson of the Public Service Commission, Lauano Vaosa Epa has confirmed that the report on the PSC’s investigation into the procurement of a Computerized Tomography (CT) Scanner for the Ministry of Health will be presented to Cabinet this week.

Talamua sought comment from Lauano on certain sensitive information already reported by a local media outlet on the procurement of the scanner such as the alleged ‘confiscation’ of a computer hard drive.

Lauano however neither confirmed nor denied the allegations today but said the investigation report will be handed over to the Prime Minister this week.

The PSC launched the investigation early this month on a directive from Cabinet following delays in the procurement and installation of the equipment.

Samoa has been without a CT scanner for two years and patients had been transferred for required scans in America Samoa or New Zealand.

Obtaining a CT scanner for the National hospital was one of the priorities the Samoa Medical Association pushed for when they met with the new Minister of Health, Valasi Togamaga Tafito Selesele when the  FAST Government took office in July last year.

In Parliament 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 said that the CT scanner was funded by ACC and had been bought from a company in Shanghai, China.

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

Two months later, the scanner is still not installed and Cabinet ordered the investigation.

The PSC Report on the investigation should clarify the procurement process and the delay in obtaining the much needed piece of equipment for the Ministry of Health.