The Pacific Heads of Health visited the Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) Hospital in Apia, Samoa today. This was an opportunity for delegates to view first-hand the development and advancement of key health departments with the central referral Hospital.

The Pacific Heads of Health visited the Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) Department, Ophthalmology (Eye) department, Biomedical Engineering Department and the new Oxygen Plant.

The Pacific Heads of Health Meeting Chair and Samoa Director General of Health, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma said, “Discussions in the meeting thus far are successful, however being able to showcase those discussions by visiting our hospital to demonstrate our work is important.”

The ENT department has audiology capabilities as well mobile audiology trailers that support community outreach. Dr Ekeroma said, “We will soon have our first Samoan audiologist thanks to the Australian Awards Funding scholarship for Masters of Audiology studies. Samoan health workers are continuously part of capacity development opportunities offered through regional partners and donors and we look forward to this ongoing support”.

“During the margins of the Pacific Heads of Health meeting we will also launch Samoa’s first Eye Care plan and we thank the Fred Hollows Foundation for their support”, he added.

While visiting the Biomedical Engineering Department, the Pacific Community (SPC) officially handed over medical equipment and laptops made possible with funding support from the Australian Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT).

Dr Ekeroma said, “We have a young biomedical and engineering team, and we are witnessing more women take up roles in this field which is usually predominated by men. We are part of the Pacific Biomedical Engineering Network, and we acknowledge SPC and DFAT for this continuous support.”

The delegates concluded the hospital tour with the handover of the new oxygen plant made possible by the World Health Organisation (WHO).

Dr Ekeroma said, “The new oxygen plant will further boost our existing services, especially during disease outbreaks as this will ensure that we can support patients adequately.”

The Samoa Ministry of Health is hosting this meeting with support from the Pacific Community (SPC) and the World Health Organization (WHO).

The meeting concludes tomorrow with key recommendations progressed to the next Pacific Health Ministers Meeting in 2025.

**End of Media Release**

SOURCE – Pacific-Community-SPC

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