High demand, partly created by two epidemics has resulted in an oxygen shortage at Samoa's main public hospital.
The Assistant Chief Executive Officer, Dr Stanley Dean, says supplies have been used up because of the high numbers of people suffering flu and rubella.
There have also been a number of critically ill patients in the
neo-natal, pediatric and high dependency units.
The oxygen shortage has led to elective surgery being deferred.
But Dr Stanley says emergency surgery has not been affected.
New supplies of oxygen are being shipped in from American Samoa.
