Caregivers looking after their loved ones at the Tupua Tamasee Meaole Hospital have expressed concern over the ongoing theft issues at the hospital while the administration has beefed up security as a countermeasure.

Samoa Observer took a stroll around the Motootua hospital on Friday and spoke to a few people and staff members. Some said they were not authorised to speak to this newspaper and some people were hesitant to speak up about their experiences to the media.

Kamiano Misi, a 57-year-old man from Vailele and looking after his wife who is diagnosed with diabetes and admitted to the Acute-Care Unit. He said the security officers cautioned them of the thieves on their first day and they have been staying vigilant.

"I wouldn't know how it feels because I never experienced it myself but having stayed here for two weeks now and getting constant reminders from the security every morning and evening to hide our belongings especially the most important ones due to thieves is worrying," he said.

"I know of cases of people not looking after their stuff properly and constantly leaving their patients and their belongings to go outside also contributes to that."

To avoid having to go through the disturbing experience, Mr. Misi said he has been careful in looking after not only his belongings but also his wife's belongings so they do not have to go through the trouble.

"But we do get reminded by the security to look after our belongings and not leave them lying around the hospital due to that reason and to avoid that, we've been really careful in looking after our stuff especially important belongings like money and bags," he explained.

Two other caregivers, Taalili Sio, 24-years-old and Naomi Tavita, 20-yars-old both from Laulii are looking after Ms. Sio's older sister who is expected to have a prolonged stay in the hospital after her surgery on Monday also shared similar sentiments.

Ms. Sio told this newspaper that she is now worried about their belongings and also called on the security and staff to work together in not only finding the thieves but also in returning the stolen items of the patients and caregivers at the hospital if they possibly can.

"It would be nice to have them work together in sorting this out because anything can happen besides theft and that's a threat. If it is then we're worried for our wellbeing," Ms. Sio said.

"My sister is having surgery on Monday and she might be here for a long stay. We're concerned not only for ourselves but also for other patients too."

Another concerned old man who did not want to be named said people are also to blame for their carelessness in handling their belongings.

"Things can be stolen almost anywhere and I see that most of the caregivers are used to that habit of leaving their belongings lying around and leaving their patients and going outside either for a smoke or something else and coming back whenever they want," he said.

"So we're mostly blaming others when we have our stuff stolen when we are also at fault for having that habit so it takes both the security, staff and ourselves to solve this issue."

These perspectives come at the back of the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) taking proactive measures to beef up security at the national hospital in response to reports of theft incidents and with hospital employees disclosing that they have been apprised of these recent security upgrades.

This move is aimed at ensuring the safety of patients, staff, and hospital property amid concerns and incidents related to theft at the facility.

Meanwhile, it is not confirmed how many theft incidents took place at the hospital and how many were reported to the police as the officials have yet to provide this information.