Visiting specialists from China say that the two most common diseases they have encountered in the Samoan population are Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) diseases and cardiovascular or heart diseases.

The eight doctors are a part of a Chinese medical team based in Samoa for one year whilst helping out at the Tupua Tamasese Mole Hospital at Motootua.

Dr. Li Qingchun is a specialist for the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and is the team leader of the Chinese medical team here in Samoa.

The 8th China Medical Team who were deployed to Samoa included Qingchun Li (Intensivist), Shi Zong (urologist), Yubo Hu (Anesthesiologist), Junrong Wang (Gynecologist), Huaxing Liang (Neurosurgeon), Daliang Kong (Orthopedist), Na Cui (ENT Doctor) and Yaliang Tong (Cardiologist).

"We are the first team from China to be staying here for one year. Other teams before us are only here for several months," said Dr. Li.

"We work at different departments at the hospital where we provide our technology to local patients and we are very glad to be here. I am grateful that my team members are working hard and also enjoying their time here in Samoa.

"There are many people with ENT diseases and most of them are children. Our ENT doctor sees more than 50 patients a day. The second most common disease is cardiovascular disease. There are many of them and it is most of the time attributed to their diet." 

In 2021, the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT)/Audiology Department of Samoa welcomed the addition of Pneumococcal Conjugate Vaccine (PCV) into the national childhood immunisation program.

It was a major public health strategy that should positively impact the rates of ear disease and associated hearing loss among Samoan infants and young children.

The Pacific Island region is estimated to have among the highest levels of otitis media (middle ear infections) and secondary hearing loss in the world, and a public health approach has already been advocated for its prevention, early identification, and management in the Pacific Islands.