Ministry of Health unaware of study into state of nation’s hospitals

Author: Raj Keresoma

Apia, Samoa – July 3, 2024 – Health Minister Valasi Luapitofanua Togamaga Tafito said he and the ministry were not aware of any study by researchers from Victoria University in New Zealand into conditions at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

“We don’t know who allowed it, I asked my CEO and he didn’t know about it either,” he said.

The results of the study were published in the fourth^day Last month, the Pacific Pacific Climate Change Conference (POPCC) was hosted by the National University of Samoa and the South Pacific Environment Programme.

Research Pacific Carbon Effect: How carbon-intensive are U.S. building aid projects? Samoa Hosted by Ryan Simpson, Robyn Phipps and Robin Skinner.

The study provides a holistic overview of the environmental impact of buildings by considering their entire life cycle and the associated environmental impacts.

Ryan Simpson, Master of Architectural Science, spoke on behalf of the researchers Decarbonization, The TTM Hospital, Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi (TATTE) building and some newly opened schools were cited as examples of buildings being designed and constructed in an unsafe manner.

The findings stated that the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital was “unsafe and unhygienic”.

A health official explains how a hole appeared in the ceiling of one of the hospital’s wards and water was leaking.

In a recent media interview, the Director-General of Health, Dr Alec Ekeroma, noted that Emergency Wards 7 and 8 of the TTM Hospital were the worst hit with water leakage and air conditioning issues.

Tupua Tamase Semiole Hospital was built with Chinese aid 10 years ago.

Since then, the hospital has been experiencing issues with leaking air conditioners, which has caused damage to ceilings and hollow floors throughout the hospital, as well as other rapidly deteriorating elements within the building.

The findings by researchers at the University of Victoria were published in history In early June, the state of the National Hospital was highlighted by several lawmakers during last month’s budget session.

Members of the Cabinet Committee on Development outside the entrance to the hospital’s emergency room.

Cabinet Committee on Development visits hospital
On Tuesday, the Cabinet Development Committee (CDC), comprising Cabinet ministers and chief executive officers of government departments, inspected the conditions at TTM Hospital.

The visit began with a report by Dr Robert Thomsen, Deputy Director General of the Tagaloa Department of Health.

The Minister of Health later said history This inspection is vital because it confirms that the issues raised by Parliament about the condition of the hospital did not happen yesterday but have been there since the hospital opened a decade ago.

Restoration and maintenance work in China
The Minister said last week he met with the Chinese Ambassador to Samoa and a delegation of eight Chinese doctors who asked the Minister what the hospital needed most.

“I told them that the hospital needed urgent major repairs and that maintenance processes needed to be established,” Valasi said.

The Minister also requested the Chinese Ambassador to restore the hospital as China not only built the hospital 10 years ago but also understood the structure and methods used in its construction.

Valasi said the ambassador and his delegation assured that they would raise the issue with the government and get back to the minister in due course.

The Minister also noted that Samoa and China will celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations next year.