The Government has been urged to consider increasing the salaries of medical practitioners working in public hospitals as well as address overtime pay issues raised by doctors and nurses. 

The call for action came from the President of the Samoa Medical Association (S.M.A.) 2023-2024, Taule'ale'ausumai Dr. Titi Lamese, who made a direct appeal to the Deputy Prime Minister, Tuala Iosefo Ponifasio who gave the keynote address on Friday morning at the 76th S.M.A. Annual General Meeting and Scientific Seminar.

Tuala was asked to put forward the request from the association to the Cabinet. Inspired by Reverend Elder Tautua Aurelio's sermon, Taule'ale'ausumai made the request with a sense of humour, saying development for the Government should "move forward not backward". 

Taule'ale'ausumai also asked the Deputy Prime Minister to raise the issue of overtime in the Cabinet and ask the Public Service Commission (P.S.C.) to ensure that all doctors and nurses are getting paid for working overtime. 

He added that the association would not back down from its demands for better salaries and overtime pay without a fight. 

The comments by the S.M.A. President was made during the formalities and presentations of envelopes prepared by the association for the special guests who attended the opening of the association's A.G.M.

Addressing the gathering, Tuala commended the association for the various milestone it has achieved over the years and said the establishment of the S.M.A. and the contribution of its members to Samoans' healthcare is critical. 

He also emphasised that healthcare is widely regarded as a fundamental right for all humans and continues to be a top priority for any government of the day in Samoa and abroad. 

Expressing appreciation for the partnership between the S.M.A. and the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) together with the World Health Organisation (W.H.O.) to care for the health of the people, the Deputy Prime Minister also acknowledged the support of sons and daughters of Samoa in medical practices overseas for their willingness to share their knowledge and experience with local doctors in Samoa. 

The annual report for the last financial year (2022-2023) was also presented by the outgoing President, Papali'i Dr. Tito Kamu on Friday while also welcoming the incoming President, Taule'ale'ausumai Dr. Titi Lamese. The association also held elections for new office bearers for 2023-2024.

On Saturday, there were a variety of presentations on cancer care and community health services, cancer and mental health, cancer innovations and investments to - close the care gap and clinical and hospital services. 

Guided by the theme "Cancer - close the care gap", the A.G.M. and scientific seminar took place on Friday and Saturday with the discussions reflecting the association's motto "serving with passion and dignity".