The first of Samoa's open heart surgeries being performed by New Zealand cardiac surgeons and medical staff is under way today.
The general manager of Samoa's National health service, Dr Stanley Dean, says about 40 staff from New Zealand hospitals have volunteered to do the operations, and arrived in Apia last week.
Surgeons are mainly from Auckland, but there are nurses from Waikato, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin.
There is also an anaesthetist, intensive care specialists and a physiotherapist.
He says this week's surgeries, which normally costs around 30,000 US dollars each in New Zealand, are free.
"We've had close heart surgeries in the past but this is the first time we've had open heart surgery in Samoa. And they are planning to operate on about 10 to 12 patients this week. They've already started the first case today. 14"
Dr Dean says some of the New Zealand staff will remain in Samoa after the surgeries next week for post-operative patient care.
