Dear Editor,

The announcement by the Chairman of the Samoa National Provident Fund that it intends to launch a compulsory national health care scheme to be funded through the contribution of its members and employers is raising a lot of questions.

Why is the scheme suddenly launched at this time?

Has the government decided to cut off further medical assistance, including funds for the overseas referral of patients for specialised treatments?

Prior and meaningful consultations with the contributors and employers affected is a fundamental ingredient of good governance which Prime Minister Fiame Naomi Mata’afa had often prescribed as a guardian star for every project of her government.

This proposal to fund a health insurance scheme through SNPF contributions will reduce the monthly benefits of members and will further limit access to emergency loans for their children's education, home repairs and the many family fa'alavelaves.

To impose an extra 6% charge on the contributions of SNPF members and employers at a time when the ordinary Samoan is struggling to meet the high cost of living is both high-handed and arrogant.

And to describe public consultations with contributors and beneficiaries that were poorly attended as a "success," is further evidence of this high-handedness.

The fact that no electronic or printed detailed information was circulated for members to review, lacks all accountability and transparency.

Who will benefit from the scheme? How will members access it? What insurance or Management Company will manage such a scheme? Which hospitals will be paid under the scheme to provide the services?

Based on what we have already experienced with the million-tala district project scheme, we won’t be surprised if daylight discriminatory treatment will again show its ugly head!

The scheme, which was introduced by the current Chairman of the SNPF Board in 2005, was abandoned by the HRPP administration because of the impact that it would have on both the contributors and businesses.

It now seems that he is back at it.

The Chairman doesn't seem to care that the public has no more confidence in the Fund's management.

Under the current SNPF leadership, we have witnessed the non-transparent approval of high-risk loans.

SNPF members are experiencing difficulties and delays in accessing short term loans for family emergencies.

This was a dependable protection system, initiated by HRPP administrations that benefited both civil servants and private sector employees.

There has been interference with the daily management and operations of the Fund, which has always been entrusted to competent CEOs and professional staff.

Last week, we read of SNPF cheques bouncing, the first time this has happened in the 52-year history of the Fund.

This is yet another example of poorly informed and misguided investment schemes.

As taxpayers and contributors to the SNPF, we want to spend wisely our taxpayers' money and contributions on national hospital infrastructure and services instead of sham projects.

For the past forty years, these health services have been provided by previous administrations without having to touch the SNPF hard-earned contributors’ funds.

That is the difference between visionary leadership and the blind leading the blind.

Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi

Leader of HRPP