Residents in the A'ana Alofi No. 3,  Aiga i le Tai, Samatau and Falelatai districts no longer have to travel to the Leulumoega District Hospital for healthcare services, thanks to the generosity of the U.S. government. 

On Friday morning – what was previously a health centre – was officially unveiled as a district hospital in Faleolo adjacent to the Faleolo International Airport.

The official opening of the Faleolo District Hospital on Friday was led by Reverend Livigisitone Peseta of the Methodist Church in Satapuala. There were various Government leaders in attendance, including Cabinet Ministers and the Wellington-based American Ambassador to New Zealand and Samoa, Tom Udall.

The extension work to the hospital comprised four three-bed ward rooms with toilets, one x-ray room, an isolation room, one minor operation room, and a newly constructed waiting area which were all built to the standards required of health facilities. The total cost of the expansion work at the hospital totalled SAT$1,337,306 with the funding coming from the U.S. military.

Speaking at the official opening, Samoa's Health Minister, Valasi Tafito Selesele said the infrastructure development contributes to the achievement of the country's national health priorities. 

"This also contributes to the achievement and visualisation of Samoa's Health Sector Vision for a Healthy Samoa," said Valasi. "I would like to take this opportunity on behalf of the Samoa Government and its people to express our appreciation and sincere gratitude to highly acknowledge the ongoing assistance by the government of the United States towards long-term developments for health.

"Such as the new extension to this health centre to better serve the health needs of the population that resides in this area and nearby districts, and most importantly by the Mulifanua Wharf and Faleolo International Airport during times of disasters and public health emergencies like COVID-19 pandemic.

"As you know the Faleolo health facility was initially built with assistance from the United States government and have again contributed to fund and built its extension to the existing facility."

Valasi said discussions to upgrade the Faleolo health centre to a district hospital began in 2019 but the measles outbreak in late 2019 and the COVID-19 pandemic in early 2020 threw the spanner in the works and delayed the project's progress. During the pandemic, the Faleolo health centre was designated as a quarantine facility until September 2022 when construction work finally started.

"It goes without saying that both our nations have enjoyed very close and fruitful relations which we can date back several decades," the Health Minister said. "This significant assistance has come in the form of extending this health centre to provide more health services to cater to the health needs of the population. 

"This amazing work was fully funded by the government of the United States and it is hoped that after the official opening of this building, this health centre will be designated as a district hospital able to provide health services 24/7 and admit patients. 

"Samoa has been very fortunate to have this close relationship with the United States which is the open door for us to receive assistance to further enhance the delivery of quality and safe health services for our people."

Valasi then urged the officials to take good care of the facility and to effectively monitor and maintain the assets. He also revealed that there will be more developments for the 5 acres of land in the same location such as a minor laboratory for basic tests, a kitchen to process meals for inpatients, a community house, residents for doctors, nurses, and other health staff.

The American diplomat, Mr. Udall gave a speech on the U.S. government and congratulated Samoa on the milestone while hailing the commitment and hard work that went into making sure the vision became a reality through the upgrading of the health centre. 

He said one of the critical challenges he observed since becoming the U.S. Ambassador to Samoa is basic health care in rural areas and credited the U.S. military for funding such a useful project which will effectively address the needs of the nearby residents. 

The hospital expansion work was also done by a local Samoan builder and contractor, Schwartz Construction according to the Ambassador.