Samoa’s former Director General of Health has opened a new clinic at the refurbished Methodist Church Building with both the Opposition Leader and the Head of State witnessing the opening. 

Leausa Dr. Take Naseri opened the clinic on Thursday which is officially called "Your Family Clinic and Public Health Consultancy" with its commissioning coming over two weeks after he officially made his exit from the Ministry of Health.

The President of the Methodist Church Rev. Faulalo Leti, Secretary of the Methodist Church, Rev. Eteuati Tuioti as well as family and relatives from the villages where he holds matai titles together with friends as well as guests and colleagues attended the official opening. 

Notable personalities who attended the event included His Highness, the Head of State, Tuimalealiifano Va’aleto’a Sualauvi II whom Leausa Dr Take Naseri serves through his matai title of Toleafoa and the Opposition Leader, Tuilaepa Dr. Sailele Malielegaoi whom he serves under his matai title Fonoiava. 

The formalities were started by Rev. Eteuati Tuioti with a sermon and prayer to bless the occasion, followed by Leausa’s remarks. 

He told the guests present that the opening of the clinic in Apia was him realising his dream as he had planed to open a private practice after he worked for over 20 years in American Samoa. 

“After working in American Samoa for over 20 years, I planned that this was what I would be doing upon returning back, to establish a clinic and to also spend time with mum as dad had passed on," he said. 

Leausa returned to Samoa in 2014 after practising in American Samoa for over 20 years, only to be appointed to Director General's position to lead the M.O.H. 

"Ever since leading the Ministry until now, I’ve felt that the strength of the body and mind are not the same anymore, to continue carrying the duties of the [Director General] of the Ministry [of Health] and the enormous responsibility of overseeing its operations, and that’s when I decided to pursue something else," said the former Director General. 

The inspiration behind the clinic's name, according to Leausa was his business cards he printed back in 2013 in preparation for his proposed clinic.

“This was the same name 'Family Clinic – Your Family Clinic', he said. "But there has now been an addition – a consultancy in public health, as well and I was delighted.

"I still have enough strength left to continue a very important service for our people and visitors to Samoa."

Leausa also announced his business associate and health finance specialist, consultant Darryl Anesi and indicated that the clinic will officially open for business next Monday. 

The President of the Methodist Church, Rev. Faulalo Leti cut the ribbon to officially open the new clinic.