The arrival of a radiologist from China’s ninth medical aid team to Samoa marked a turning point at the Moto’otua Hospital with the enhancement of Computed Tomography (CT) examinations. 

As the largest national hospital in the country, the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital shoulders the healthcare expectations of the entire nation. 

However, for a long time, its CT examination capabilities were limited to basic scans with no implementation of Computed Tomography Angiography(CTA) examinations. The arrival of Dr. Feng Yan, a radiologist saw the introduction of CTA techniques for multiple regions of the body advancing medical imaging technology. 

Upon her arrival, Dr. Feng Yan swiftly began her work by designing protocols for enhanced CT scans for various body parts. 

She meticulously determined scan timing across different phases, the injection rate and dosages of contrast agents. 

This enabled the successful execution of routine enhanced CT scans for the head, neck, chest, abdomen, and limbs. 

This innovation allowed local clinicians to assess patient conditions with greater speed and accuracy, and significantly improve diagnostic precision. 

Dr. Feng’s expertise has empowered medical staff to identify potential health risks promptly, earning widespread recognition and praise from the local medical community.

Since her arrival in May 2024, she has examined over a thousand patients and hopes to continue her work until May 2025. 

Early diagnosis of aortic disease is critical to patient survival and Dr. Feng performed the first successful aortic CTA in Samoa. 

A patient after stenting for an aortic dissection aneurysm was an extremely complex case that could not have been diagnosed without the aortic CTA technique, which often poses a significant threat to the patient's life if the diagnosis of the disease is delayed. 

With the help of aortic CTA, this patient was diagnosed and treated promptly.

Dr. Feng further advanced medical imaging in Samoa by conducting the nation’s first pulmonary CTA examinations. 

Through these scans, she identified several cases of massive pulmonary embolism, a life-threatening condition requiring urgent intervention. 

By facilitating timely diagnoses and treatments, the medical expert work is believed to have significantly reduced mortality rates, giving patients a renewed chance at life and bringing solace to their families.

Dr. Feng Yan also examined complex cases and performed Samoa’s first head and neck CTA examinations, providing critical diagnostic support for numerous patients. 

In one notable case, she identified a ruptured middle cerebral artery aneurysm in a patient with a subarachnoid haemorrhage. 

Her swift actions facilitated the patient’s transfer to New Zealand for further treatment, securing valuable time for life-saving interventions.

Many conditions previously undiagnosed are now promptly identified and treated, filling a significant gap in Samoa’s medical imaging capabilities. 

Dr. Feng said her greatest motivation lies in providing high-quality medical services to the local community. 

She hopes that her efforts will inspire young doctors to pursue medical excellence and contribute to improving Samoa’s healthcare standards.

This milestone not only highlights Dr. Feng’s represents a significant leap forward for Moto’otua hospital and the medical sector. 

With the continuous advancement of imaging technology and evolving medical practices, more patients are poised to benefit from high-quality healthcare in the future.