Government
MOH Unaware of Research Into the State of the National Hospital
By Lagi Keresoma/
Apia, SAMOA – 03 July 2024 – The Minister of Health, Valasi Luapitofanua Togamaga Tafito said he and the ministry were unaware of any research conducted on the status of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital as reported by researchers at the Victoria University in New Zealand.
“We do not know who allowed it and I asked my Chief Executive Officer and he also was not aware of it,” he said.
The research findings were presented during the 4th Pacific Ocean Pacific Climate Change Conference (POPCC) hosted by the National University of Samoa and SPREP last month.
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.
The research provided 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, used the TTM Hospital, the Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (TATTE) building and some recently opened schools as examples of buildings that are not safe by way of their design and the way they were built.
The research findings noted that the Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital was “unsafe and unhygienic.”
A health official explaining a hole and leak from the ceiling at 0ne of the hospital wards.
In a recent media interview, the Director General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma noted that Acute 7 and 8 of the TTM Hospital were the worst units with leakages and air-conditioning issues.
The Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital was funded and constructed under Chinese aid 10 years ago.
It had since been having issues with the air conditioning leakages damaging the ceiling and hollow flooring in various parts of the hospital among other rapidly deteriorating elements in the building.
The findings by the Victoria University researchers was reported by Talamua in early June and the state of the national hospital was highlighted by several MPs in last months’ Budget session.
Members of the Cabinet Development Committee outside the hospital Emergency Unit entrance.
Cabinet Development Committee visit the hospital
On Tuesday this week, the Cabinet Development Committee (CDC), comprising Cabinet Ministers and CEOs of government ministries inspected the state of the TTM Hospital.
The visit started with a presentation by the Deputy Director General of Health, Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen.
The Minister of Health later told Talamua that the inspection was crucial to confirm that the problems and issues raised in parliament regarding the state of the hospital did not happen yesterday but have been there over the years since the hospital was opened ten years ago.
China to repair and conducti maintenance work
The Minister said that he met with the Chinese Ambassador to Samoa and a delegation of 8 doctors from China last week where they asked the Minister about what was most needed for the hospital.
“I told them the hospital needs urgent and major repair works and also needs an established maintenance process,” said Valasi.
The Minister also requested the Ambassador for China to repair the hospital as they not only built it 10 years ago, but they understand the structure and methods used when constructing it.
Valasi said that the Ambassador and his delegation assured that they will take it up with their Government and will get back to the Minister in due course.
The Minister also noted that Samoa and China are celebrating 50 years of diplomatic relations next year.