A senior doctor who was a local convener at an international paediatric training held earlier this week, Dr. Faamuamua Arasi said there was a shortage of paediatrics at the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) because some were leaving for better salary and benefits.

She confirmed in an interview with the Samoa Observer on Tuesday when she was queried about improvements expected from the Paediatric Basic and Supportive Assessment of Intensive Care (BASIC) training and whether it can cater for the ongoing decrease in number of paediatrics within the Ministry.

"The thing about the future prospect is, I think that's a personal decision for each and everyone of them," he said.

"I understand but my old take is if they wish to seek better opportunities that's entirely up to them but I believe that one of the reasons why we're losing our staff is there's not much compensation or lack of compensation.

"They seek better jobs and opportunities and they have to provide for their families and put food on their table but in terms of that I'm not too sure.

"But I do understand why we leave and there are many other reasons and one of them is what they're seeking."

This newspaper raised the issue of paediatric nurses choosing opportunities and careers with the Samoa Fire and Emergency Services Authority (S.F.E.S.A.) over working at the hospital because of a higher salary.

Dr. Arasi's comments were echoed by the President of Samoa Nurses Association, Solialofi Papalii in a previous interview with this newspaper regarding some nurses who are now working with S.F.E.S.A due to similar reasons.

Meanwhile, paediatricians and nurses from across the country earlier this week prioritised the treatment of critically ill children by participating in the BASIC training at the Taumeasina Island Resort. 

The training centres around the critically ill children of Samoa. The doctors were joined by intensive care unit specialists from New Zealand, Australia and American Samoa.

Paediatric BASIC is aimed at doctors and nursing staff who look after critically unwell children to develop and hone the skills necessary to assess and manage these cases, as well as impart and revise knowledge that should complement this skill set.