TTM hospital to receive $8 million upgrade in facilities and technology

By Jeannie Penehuro/

Apia, SAMOA – 29 October 2026 – The Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital will receive SAT$8.25 million from the Government of Japan to upgrade the main and district hospital facilities and medical appliances.

Prime Minister, La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt, and Japan’s Ambassador to Samoa, H.E. Suzuki Ryotaro, signed the agreement at a ceremony in the Cabinet Chambers this week.

Japan’s Parliamentary Vice-Minister for Foreign Affairs, Fujii Kazuhiro, also attended.

The grant is provided through Japan’s Economic and Social Development Programme and the agreement also highlighted more medical equipment expected to arrive in Samoa within a year.

The package includes patient monitors, electrosurgical units, blood centrifuges, defibrillator monitors and foetal monitors.

The Ministry of Health will use the new equipment to replace ageing technology and strengthen hospitals’ ability to deliver safe, efficient and higher-quality care.

“On behalf of our people and our Government, I would like to convey our sincere appreciation for the Honourable Fujii Kazuhiro for coming a long way to Samoa to present this assistance for our health sector,” said La’auli.

He said Samoa has been so blessed all these years because of the continuous support from Japan “and we honour that with all our hearts.”

Fuji said Japan had supported Samoa’s healthcare system through initiatives including mobile clinics, medical equipment and facilities for the Faculty of Health Science at the National University of Samoa.

He hoped the latest project would further strengthen the friendship between the two countries.