The Samoa Association of General Practitioners (S.A.G.P.) has elected a new executive committee to lead the association's operations and promote the developments of all its members. 

The appointment of the new executive was conducted after their Annual General Meeting (A.G.M.) which was conducted on Saturday 1 October 2022. 

Leituala Dr. Ben Matalavea is taking up the reigns as the President for the S.A.G.P. for 2022-2023, while Leniu Dr. Asaua Fa'asino is the new Vice President, Tuala Dr. Tile Ah Leong-Lui is the Secretary and Lauano Dr. Herbert Peters the Treasurer. 

Dr. Malama Tafuna'i is the new CME Coordinator and executive members include Le Mamea Dr. Limbo Fiu, Dr. Nola Gidlow, Dr. Atropa Belladonna Potoi, Misa Dr. Navy Collins and Motupuaa Dr. Aisoli Va'ai. 

Guided by the theme "good governance", the topic was a timely especially in light of the new health reforms within the health sector in the last few years while navigating the challenges connected to the recent measles epidemic and the Covid-19 pandemic. 

The Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele delivered the keynote address to officially open the meeting after a brief service was led by Reverend Esaroma Fatilua of the Congregational Christian Church Samoa parish at Matautu Lefaga. 

Senior Lawyer, Fuimaono Sarona Ponifasio was the guest speaker at the AGM and spoke on good governance, covering issues around the Medical Practitioners Act and other legal related concerns that may arise for the association. 

According to a statement from S.G.P.A., the theme for this year's meeting is something that was "rarely discussed" by the medical profession. The discussions and the address was well received with many items highlighted for the SAGP to discuss and progress to improve general practice in Samoa.

This A.G.M. also gave the S.G.P.A. an opportunity to address the role of General Practitioners (GPs) in Primary Health Care and the need for GPs to ensure they are all practising using national standards that is best-practice and evidence-based.

General Practitioners provide primary care services and they are the main service providers in primary health care.

This AGM saw an engaging and interesting forum led by senior general practitioners as to the standards and criteria needed for the current GPs and doctors hoping to enter into a career of being a GP. The S.A.G.P. will be looking at developing these standards and ensuring all GPs are practising accordingly.