New Oxygen Generating Plant a milestone for Samoa’s health system

By Lagi Keresoma

APIA, SAMOA – 19 MAY 2022: A new Oxygen Generating Plant was opened today at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National hospital with a much bigger capacity to produce oxygen for the health systems daily needs.

“The project has been two years in the making and today, a milestone is achieved in the history of the Ministry of Health’s development programs,” said Minister of Health, Valasi Togamaga Tafito when launching the project.

Since 1990, the old plant’s capacity was only 30 to 50 cylinders per day, and that came to a real test when the measles epidemic hit Samoa in 2019.

Valasi said the new oxygen plant can produce 200 plus cylinders per day “and it is a milestone indeed.”

The project was the team effort of the New Zealand and Samoan Government.

New Zealand’s High Commissioner to Samoa, His Excellency Dr. Trevor Matheson said it is indeed an achievement and both countries should be proud of it, and he acknowledged all partners who contributed to the project.

The procurement of the new plant from the United Kingdom, the installation, the commissioning, the training of staff and the maintenance of the plant were all funded by New Zealand at a cost NZ$665,000 which is over a million in Samoan tala.

Measles Epidemic was a Wake-up Call
The New Zealand High Commission office received a request from the Samoan Government for oxygen supply support in late 2019 during the measles epidemic.

“That was a very difficult time as there were so many sick youngsters and babies and that oxygen supplies were almost depleted as the current oxygen generating plant could not cope and was on the verge of collapse,” said Dr. Trevor Matheson.

Representing the project partners are the Chief Executive Officer of the Ministry of Finance, Saoleititi Maeva Betham-Vaai. AECL Fonoti Likisone Leilua, NZHC Dr. Trevor Matheson, WHO representative, Minister of Health, Valasi Togamaga Tafito & MOH Acting CEO Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen.

He recalled many sleepless nights as the Nafanua patrol boat was dispatched on numerous trips to American Samoa to refill the oxygen tanks and turn around quickly before the oxygen supplies at the TTM hospital were exhausted.

“The dilemma faced by the country then prompted the Ministry, partners and the Government of Samoa to act and agree never to allow an oxygen depletion situation to ever arise again in Samoa,” he said.

However no one envisioned COVID-19 would closely follow the measles epidemic which gave more urgency to ensure the project is finalized.

COVID-19 restrictions contributed to the delay but despite all the delays, and challenges, New Zealand was able to bring in a technical team in March 2022 to install and commission the new plant.

“The commission could not have been timely as it happened just a week after the Omicron variant community transmission was reported in Apia.”

Dr Matheson said the project underlines Aotearoa New Zealand’s commitment to boost the capacity, the quality and professionalism of the Samoa health system.

He said the project was a team effort and a reflection of a strong partnership between the two countries.

The Health Minister Valasi received the key from AECL construction company owner Fonoti Likisone Leilua before he cut the ribbon and led a tour of the facility.

Dr. Matheson then turned on the switch for the facility to start producing oxygen for Samoa’s health system.