Environment
TTM Hospital Not Safe, Research Finds
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, SAMOA – 06 June 2024 – Samoa’s new but deteriorating Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) National hospital continues to pose a health problem to the public and is considered unsafe according to the findings of a research conducted by three researchers at the Victoria University, New Zealand.
The research on Pacific Carbon Effect: How carbon-intensive are construction aid projects in Samoa” was conducted by Ryan Simpson, Robyn Phipps and Robin Skinner and its findings were presented at the 4th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Convention (POPCCC) hosted by the National University of Samoa (NUS) and the South Pacific Regional Environment Program (SPREP).
The research provides a holistic overview of a buildings environmental impact by considering the whole life cycle and the relevant environmental impact.
Presenting on behalf of the researchers, Ryan Simpson (Master of Architectural Science) on Decarbonisation he used the TTM hospital, the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (TATTE) building and some recently opened school buildings as examples of buildings that are not safe by way of their designs and the way they were built.
Ryan Simpson (Master of Architectural Science) presenting the research findings at the 4th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Convention (POPCCC) hosted by the National University of Samoa (NUS) two weeks ago.
For the TTM hospital, he specified sewage leakages inside the hospital as a threat to public health.
He said people go to the hospital to get healed and not to be exposed to more health dangers posed by sewage leaks.
Built by a Chinese construction Company with a $75 million loan from the Peoples Republic of China, the hospital was opened in July 2011.
Various faults such as in the floor and tiling and leaks in the cooling system have been present months after the opening.
The Health Plumbing System Preventative Maintenance Policy 2020-2025, highlighted the common infrastructural problems at both the main hospitals and district hospitals as leaks, lack of ultra-purified water and clogging due to chemicals.
The problems were identified in the October 2020 report and major renovation works were done this year that have alleviated part of the problems.
“Contaminated streams and sewage leaking into fresh water are also common problems observed in visited health facilities,” states the report.
The hospital’s condition continues to deteriorate and the 2025/2025 Budget tabled last week allocates $156,664, 219 for the Ministry of Health and part of the funding will go towards maintenance according to a senior health official.
For the TATTE building (picture above) that houses various government ministries and a conference centre, Simpson said problems are visible even with the elevators and the suggestion made is to build with materials that are available on island and to ensure that the design and structure of the building accommodates the climate where the building is built.
The TATTE Building was also built by Chinese funding and the problems already emerging have and will cost a lot to renovate and maintain the building.
For primary schools, Simpson said some of the school buildings recently opened in Savai’i will only last 30 years compared to school buildings in New Zealand and Australia which have a lifespan of 50 years.
The research not only identified the problems but also provided recommendations and advice on structural buildings for Samoa.
The Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital at Moto’otua cost $75m and was opened in July 2011.