A Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) notice advising members of the public that selling face masks within the compound of the national hospital is prohibited has caused an uproar on social media. 

The Ministry issued the notice on Monday stating that masks are given to security guards at the hospital "for people visiting without masks" and that they are to be given out free. 

However, the public notice triggered the ire of local social media users, who claimed that the masks are being given to security guards "free" when they have to pay SAT$2 for face masks every time they visit the hospital. 

The M.O.H. notice was published in Samoan which further claimed that staff have witnessed a couple of people selling face masks within the compound of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. 

"Such an act is strongly prohibited," according to M.O.H.

Despite the Ministry's position, members of the public complained that they have been buying face masks from security guards for $2 tala each.

Some even claimed that they weren't allowed to enter the hospital if they weren't wearing masks, so they had to go back and get money to buy masks before going to see the doctors. 

Others have directed their disappointment at the Ministry for prohibiting people and vendors from selling masks at the hospital, yet the security guards are also charging them $2 for a face mask. 

The Facebook notice has been shared by more than 300 people online, which called out the security guards at the hospital for taking money from people whenever they go to the hospitals when the masks should be "free". 

While some have shared their frustration by expressing humour, others have shared some bad experiences they've had while visiting the hospital. 

Meritiana Oti, who works for the Ministry of Education, Sports, and Culture (M.E.S.C.), wrote that she went to the hospital around 9 pm. They were stopped at the door and were asked to buy face masks before they were allowed to go inside. 

"We arrived at the same time with another family and the father told the security that they did not have enough money to buy masks," Meritiana wrote on Facebook. 

"But the security guard insisted that they pay $2 for masks. The family then went to look for money to buy masks."