The SNPF Healthcare Scheme to Benefit All

By Lagi Keresoma/

Apia, Samoa – 09 December 2024 – The Samoa National Provident Fund Medical Healthcare Scheme that the Fund is pushing to be implemented, will benefit everyone from contributors to non-contributors.

This is according to SNPF Chairman, Papalii Panoa Tavita Moala during a public consultation to clarify the details of the healthcare scheme at the Tu’utu’uileloloto Hall last Saturday.

He said the purpose of the scheme is to provide health insurance cover for everyone from a child to contributors and non-contributors.

He said the scheme will make it easier to access quality healthcare service and it will be cheap and sustainable.

The SNPF Medical Healthcare Scheme was endorsed by the Human Rights Protection Party and passed in 2005.

Papalii was the Chief Executive Officer of SNPF then.

“It was signed by the Head of State on 22 April 2022 but has never been implemented,” he explained.

According to Papali’i, SNPF has already submitted a paper to Cabinet for the implementation of the Scheme and the public consultation is part of the process for Cabinet to make a final decision.

There were less than 100 people at last weekends’ consultation for Upolu and the views expressed generally supported the scheme. But what SNPF needs to further clarify is how the scheme will be funded and whether contributors and employees would be required to pay more.

No more additional fund to the scheme
Papalii however clarified that there will be no additional funds on the current members’ contributions.

He clarified that the scheme will be funded by 6% of current contributions and will be made up of 3% deducted from the employer and 3% deducted from the contributor.

Papalii also clarified that scheme looks at an annual premium of $300 tala.

This will include three beneficiaries. The scheme will also be open to non SNPF contributors.

Papalii believes, the scheme will benefit everyone, not only to access better health care locally but overseas.

Last Saturday was the first public consultation that targeted the public in Upolu and the second consultation will be for Savaii residents and contributors this Saturday.

Once the consultations are completed, a report will be presented to Cabinet for endorsement and it is expected the SNPF Medical Healthcare scheme will be launched before the middle of 2025.