On 2 April 2025, an email was sent to the heads of the medical teams informing them that laboratory services would be unattended from 8 pm to 12 am on weekdays and ultimately closed on Saturday and Sunday.

On Sunday, 6 April, the Samoa Observer published an article titled ‘Concern over lab cutbacks’ highlighting the revision of operating hours for the national hospital’s laboratory. The changes have sparked serious concerns among healthcare professionals, who felt this would significantly impact patient care and emergency medical services.

Also on Sunday 6 April, the Director General of the Ministry of Health Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma made a Facebook post after the story where he labelled the article as misleading sensationalist rubbish.

“There is a problem with premature reporting of issues that are under internal discussion and deliberations within Ministries. They are presented as facts or concerns whereas, as in this case, it is misleading sensationalist rubbish. There is no reduction in laboratory services,” wrote Aiono in his Facebook update.

The article was written after more than three medical practitioners at the National Hospital raised concerns about the closure of the lab services. A service, doctors could rely on a 24-hour basis to make the best diagnosis. You can see why doctors raised concerns about the lab being closed.

Aiono was emailed on Friday morning by the journalist covering the story and he either chose not to respond to it or did not see the email. He chose not to respond to the questions that were sent to him and put up a Facebook post where he labelled the report misleading sensationalist rubbish. The reports were not misleading and not sensationalised. An email was sent to the heads of medical departments and a copy of the email was received by the newspaper forming the basis of the story and questioning the man-in-charge as to why such a decision was taken.

The new schedule raised alarm within the medical community, particularly due to the implications for emergency diagnostic services. Under the revised hours, critical blood tests—such as cardiac enzyme panels used to detect heart attacks, renal function tests essential for dialysis patients, and sepsis screenings—would be unavailable outside of the new limited timeframe. This meant that urgent lab work would be put on hold until the next business day.

Healthcare professionals expressed deep concern about the potential risks to patients and the strain on emergency response efforts. “This change severely hampers our ability to respond to life-threatening situations in a timely manner,” one senior clinician, who wished to remain anonymous, said. “Delays in these tests can be the difference between life and death.”

In addition to concerns about patient care, allegations have emerged suggesting that the changes may be linked to unresolved issues regarding staff compensation. Sources within the hospital claim that laboratory technicians are not being paid for overtime work, which may have contributed to the decision to restrict lab hours.

The lack of transparency and communication surrounding the decision has further frustrated health professionals, who called for urgent action to address the situation before patient safety is compromised.

The newspaper stands by the story and in no way was the article misleading or an attempt to sensationalise the situation. The article highlighted how an important service at the hospital was being cut back because the lab technicians were not paid their correct dues. This highlights the issue of overworked staff and how the health ministry was dealing with the situation. This also raises concerns about the finances of the ministry.

It is no secret that most departments at the hospital or the health ministry are understaffed and at most times, nurses, doctors and other medical professionals work extra hours to make for the shortfall.

Clinical laboratory analyses are indispensable for accurate disease diagnosis. They provide concrete evidence that aids healthcare professionals in understanding a patient's condition, enabling them to design personalised treatment plans. Early detection of diseases through laboratory testing allows for timely intervention, increasing the likelihood of successful treatment outcomes. The unavailability of such services is concerning.