Ministry of Health Samoa

05/06/2026

PRESS RELEASE❗️❗️❗️
𝑫𝑰𝑺𝑨𝑺𝑻𝑬𝑹 𝑨𝑫𝑽𝑰𝑺𝑶𝑹𝒀 𝑪𝑶𝑴𝑴𝑰𝑻𝑻𝑬𝑬 𝑵𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵𝑨𝑳 𝑬𝑴𝑬𝑹𝑮𝑬𝑵𝑪𝒀 𝑶𝑷𝑬𝑹𝑨𝑻𝑰𝑶𝑵 𝑪𝑬𝑵𝑻𝑹𝑬

04/06/2026

The Ministry of Health extends its sincere appreciation to Mr. Pravish Kumar, Director of Pacific Specialist Healthcare (PSH), Fiji, for the timely and generous assistance provided to Samoa during a period of significant medicine shortages within the Ministry of Health.

In the past week, the Ministry of Health submitted an urgent request to Pacific Specialist Healthcare seeking assistance with the procurement and supply of critically needed medicines, particularly injectable medications essential for the delivery of healthcare services across the country.

The Ministry is pleased to acknowledge that within a week of the request, approximately half of the urgently needed supplies had already been delivered via air freight, with the remaining medicines expected to arrive in the coming weeks. This prompt response has greatly assisted the Ministry in addressing immediate supply challenges and ensuring the continuity of patient care.

This assistance further strengthens the partnership between Pacific Specialist Healthcare and the Government of Samoa. Earlier this year, an important Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between PSH and the Government of Samoa to facilitate access to specialized cardiac surgery services for Samoan patients at Pacific Specialist Healthcare in Fiji.

The Ministry of Health recognizes this latest gesture of support as a reflection of the strong commitment of Pacific Specialist Healthcare to regional healthcare collaboration and patient wellbeing. The provision of these emergency medicines comes at a particularly challenging time when medicine shortages remain one of the Ministry's most pressing concerns.

The Ministry conveys its heartfelt gratitude to Mr. Pravish Kumar and the entire team at Pacific Specialist Healthcare for their responsiveness, generosity, and continued partnership with Samoa's health sector. Such support demonstrates the importance of regional solidarity and cooperation in strengthening healthcare services and improving health outcomes for our people.

The Ministry looks forward to continuing its collaborative relationship with Pacific Specialist Healthcare for the benefit of the people of Samoa.

04/06/2026

03/06/2026

Preparing for TTM Go-Live — Clinicians Leading the Change 🌿
As part of preparations for the planned Tamanu Electronic Health Record (EHR) Go-Live across the remaining departments of Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital on 6 July 2026, the Ministry of Health has been conducting a series of onboarding and engagement sessions with clinical, nursing, and support teams.

A key feature of these sessions has been the involvement of senior clinical and nursing leaders from departments already using Tamanu, who shared their firsthand experiences, lessons learned, challenges encountered, and the benefits realised through digital health adoption.
We extends acknowledgement and appreciation to: Dr Sione Pifeleti – ENT Department, Dr Lucilla Ah Ching – Ophthalmology Department, Dr Sean Mauiliu – Orthopaedic Department and Principal Nurse Lili Chung Sum – Outpatient Department (APCC) for their willingness to serve as Digital Health Champions and support colleagues throughout the onboarding process.

The engagement of Tamanu champions is intended to support change management by ensuring that staff in departments preparing for Go-Live can learn directly from colleagues who have already successfully adopted the system. Through peer-to-peer discussions and shared experiences, staff gain a clearer understanding of the implementation journey, develop confidence in using the system, and feel better prepared for the transition to digital workflows.

The strong turnout and active participation from staff across the hospital, lead by their senior leadership of Head of Departments and Principal Nurses reflect a growing commitment to embracing digital transformation and ensuring readiness for the next phase of implementation.

Every discussion, question, and shared experience contributes to building a stronger foundation for the future, ensuring that when Go-Live arrives, TTM is prepared to take the next step in Samoa’s ongoing digital health transformation.
One Patient. One Record. One Connected Health System for Samoa. 💙

02/06/2026

The Ministry of Health (MOH) acknowledges with sincere appreciation the Government of Australia for its continued support to Samoa's health sector through the donation of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) equipment valued at approximately SAT$450,000 (AUD$260,000) under the Samoa E-Health Project.
The equipment was officially presented by the Governor-General of Australia, Her Excellency the Honourable Sam Mostyn AC, to Samoa's Minister for Health, Hon. Va'aaoo Salumalo Alofipo, during a ceremony held at the Ministry of Health's Central Pharmaceutical Warehouse in Moto'otua.
The donated equipment includes computers, laptops, portable workstations, and printers that will support the Ministry's ongoing efforts to strengthen and modernize health information management systems throughout Samoa. The equipment will enhance connectivity across health facilities and improve healthcare workers' access to patient medical records, enabling more efficient, timely, and informed patient care.
Speaking at the handover ceremony, Minister for Health Hon. Va'aaoo Salumalo Alofipo expressed gratitude to the Government and people of Australia for their longstanding partnership and commitment to improving health services in Samoa.
The Minister further acknowledged Australia's ongoing investment in Samoa's health sector, which has contributed to major advancements in health systems strengthening since 2021. These investments include support for the Tamanu Electronic Medical Records System, the Tupaia Data and Analytics Platform, workforce development initiatives, and the construction of the Ministry of Health Pharmaceutical Warehouse.
The Ministry of Health recognizes that digital transformation is a critical component of building a resilient and responsive healthcare system. The newly donated ICT equipment will support the continued rollout and enhancement of electronic health systems across hospitals and healthcare facilities throughout Samoa.
The Ministry also commended Australia's broader support in policy development, health workforce strengthening, and health system improvement initiatives aimed at addressing key public health challenges, including the growing burden of non-communicable diseases.
The Ministry of Health looks forward to continuing its strong partnership with the Government of Australia as both countries work together to strengthen health systems and improve the health and wellbeing of the people of Samoa.
The Ministry extends its sincere appreciation to the Australian High Commission in Samoa and all stakeholders involved in the successful implementation of the Samoa E-Health Project.

31/05/2026

Manuia le fa'amanatuina o le Tuto'atasi Samoa.

31/05/2026

‼️In Samoa 250 lives are taken each year due to to***co related illnesses ‼️

Smoking is one of the leading causes of preventable death worldwide, killing over 8 million people prematurely each year.

It ravages the body by causing severe health conditions such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, and lung diseases.⚰️💀

The "Appeal" of Va**ng" is carefully engineered by manufacturers using specific, deceptive strategies:

❌️Child-Friendly Flavors: Over 16,000 enticing flavors, such as fruit, mint, and candy, mask the harsh, toxic chemical taste
❌️Deceptive Product Designs: Sleek, high-tech devices mimic common items like USB drives, pens, highlighters, or toys to evade detection by parents and teachers.
❌️Glamorized Marketing: Heavy reliance on social media, bright color palettes, and online influencers creates a false image of a harmless lifestyle trend.
❌️Smooth Chemical Additives: Coolants and customized ni****ne salts reduce throat irritation, making it easier to inhale deeply and accelerate early addiction.

29/05/2026

Medical Council & Welcoming of the New Registras.

Dr Fialaui'a Lefauaitu
Dr Java Esera
Dr Senerita Taituave
Dr Sonja Matalavea
Dr Verenah Pedro
Dr Uila Lima
Dr Fagaoalii Laiti
Dr Ariel Ioane
Dr Ali'ilelei Junior Tenari
Dr Stephen Tuautu
Dr Jared Lameko.

29/05/2026

SAMOA MEDICAL ASSOCIATION 79th Annual General Meeting & Scientific Conference.

DAY 2