M.P. slams “poor” health services

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 25 June 2017, 12:00AM

Member of Parliament, Olo Fiti Vaai, has criticised the delivery of health services in Samoa describing it as extremely poor.

He said despite the millions of dollars being injected into the National Health Services, members of the public continue to face many challenges at the hospital.

He said the services are not up to par with expected standards and the government should urgently review the sector. 

Olo was speaking in Parliament during the discussion of the 2017-2018 Budget.

He said the services provided by the hospital was very poor. 

“I want to address three issues,” he said. “Education, the health sector and government developments. Due to the fact that there are significant amount of money allocated to these sectors." 

“These sectors, the government will not get revenue from it. The most important thing is for the services they provide reflect the huge amount of money allocated for them.” 

Getting back to health, Olo said it’s important the matter is raised for the information of the Minister of Health, Tuitama Dr Leao Tuitama.

He recalled his experience during a recent trip to the hospital as a result of a leg injury. 

 “I requested for a wheelchair and I was told that there is one wheelchair for acute seven and acute eight,” he said. 

“Mr. Minister, the wheelchair was broken and it had no handles.”

Olo said this was hugely disappointing. 

 “As I said earlier, the funds allocated to this ministry is significant, yet the services are poor. What does that say?" 

“Even the medical care provided is not up to standard, yet it’s a fairly new hospital. It’s not getting any better.”

The Member of Parliament appealed to the Ministry of Health about the need to address these problems. 

According to the proposed budget for 2017/2018 a total amount of $88.5million has been allocated to the Health Sector, which represents approximately 17.3% of the total expenditure programs of Government and is allocated as follows: 

• $69.3million has been allocated to the National Health Services which include the following:  

• $6million for the Overseas Medical Treatment Scheme; 10  

• $4million allocated for the procurement of pharmaceutical drugs; 

• $3.9million for the procurement of pathology lab re-agents and consumables; 

• $1.6million for catering services for the hospital; 

• $1.5million for procurement of medical consumables required 

for the hospital. 

• $12.2million for the Ministry of Health which includes $3.3million for the orientation program of new nursing and doctor graduates.

By Joyetter Feagaimaali’i-Luamanu 25 June 2017, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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