The LBJ Medical Center in American Samoa is increasing the budget for its off island referral programme after a shortfall in its funds this year.
The chairman of the territory's only public hospital, Charles Warren, says they've requested an additional 3 million U.S. dollars for the programme because they have spent all of the 2 million dollars allocated for this year.
He says it's very difficult to estimate how much overseas referrals will cost in any given year because it has ranged from between 2 to 7 million dollars.
Mr Warren says he's hopeful the Fono will approve both the request for additional funding and the increase for it in next year's budget.
"We've increased next year's budget. Our fiscal year runs from October 1st to September 30th so in the budget year that begins October 1st, 2007, we've increased our budget for off island care to approximately 5 million."
Mr Warren says despite the shortfall, they're still referring patients overseas.
