25 Feb 2014

American Samoa's main hospital still short of funds

10:33 am on 25 February 2014

American Samoa's main hospital, the LBJ Medical Centre, says it still needs more money to cover unfunded debts and increased costs.

The first financial report for the year says the hospital did very well collecting patient fees, raking in US$10 million more than the US$2 million projected in the budget.

The report for three months from October to December last year shows operating expenses were nearly seven percent over budget but a slight 1.5% improvement on the whole of the 2013 fiscal year.

The hospital's CEO, Joseph Davis-Fleming, says with aUS$9.4 million dollar net gain by the end of the first quarter the hospital is finally in a positive financial position.

He says the hospital can begin paying down debts, acquire new equipment and supplies as well as fill more than one hundred vacant positions at the hospital.

But he says the rise in chronic diseases in the territory is contributing to the need for more funds.