It is remarkable how having a specialist can lead to many improvements in the medical sector. That is exactly what radiologist Dr Feng Yan has been able to do at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.

Dr Feng was part of China’s ninth medical aid team to Samoa, and her expertise led to the enhancement of Computed Tomography (CT) examinations. This saw the introduction of CTA techniques for multiple body regions, advancing medical imaging technology.

She has designed protocols for enhanced CT scans for various body parts. She meticulously determined scan timing across different phases, the injection rate and dosages of contrast agents. This enabled the successful execution of routine enhanced CT scans for the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and limbs.

This innovation allowed local clinicians to assess patient conditions with greater speed and accuracy, and significantly improve diagnostic precision. Dr. Feng’s expertise has empowered medical staff to identify potential health risks promptly, earning widespread recognition and praise from the local medical community.

Since her arrival in May 2024, she has examined over a thousand patients and hopes to continue her work until May 2025.

Dr Feng further advanced medical imaging in Samoa by conducting the nation’s first pulmonary CTA examinations. Through these scans, she identified several cases of massive pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention.

By facilitating timely diagnoses and treatments, the medical expert work is believed to have significantly reduced mortality rates, giving patients a renewed chance at life and bringing solace to their families.

Dr. Feng Yan also examined complex cases and performed Samoa’s first head and neck CTA examinations, providing critical diagnostic support for numerous patients. In one notable case, she identified a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm in a patient with a subarachnoid haemorrhage.

This is just incredible. One specialist at the big hospital has led to so many advancements. Dr Feng will be at the hospital until May this year and then she heads back to China. Her departure will leave a huge gap.

We hope that while she has been here, there has been a progressive approach to training radiology staff so some of the work that she has done can be duplicated by local staff. Her departure would mean that the medical marvels currently being done now would come to a stop.

China has been helping Samoa for a long time in the medical field by sending their medical experts who work here for a year or two until they are rotated. This has led to solving some of the issues faced by the lack of medical specialists.

It is not guaranteed that the next team that comes from China will have a specialist radiologist. This is something that can be discussed at the diplomatic level. The advancement of Chinese medical experts is clearly on display. This could perhaps be a sign to send radiologists to train in China.

There is also the question that the multimillion tala CT scan equipment may not be used without an expert. This needs to be looked at as well.

This is a new year and the Ministry of Health needs to fill in specialist roles. One expert has done so much, imagine having specialists in other medical fields.

Thank you Dr Feng.