Samoa & India Resume Medical Treatment Scheme

By Lagi Keresoma

Apia, SAMOA – 23 April 2024: The health relationship between Samoa and India is back on track with the Ministry of Health transferring patients for medical treatment at the Apollo Hospital, New Delhi, India.

The Director General of Health, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma confirmed in a public notice the resumption of the medical scheme between the two countries after it was suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

He did not disclose the number of patients now in India but said a representative of Apollo Hospital met the patients.

In the past, New Zealand and Australia have had a health scheme program with Samoa and in 2018, the Government of Samoa signed an agreement to treat Samoan cancer, heart and kidney patients at the Apollo Hospital in India.

According to Aiono, the cost of treatment in India is about 20% of the cost in New Zealand and the quality of care and outcomes are similar.