Outpatients at American Samoa's cash strapped LBJ hospital are complaining about new fee increases that took effect from November the 1st.
New outpatient charges for residents have doubled from five to ten US dollars to equal the same fee for non-residents, and any outpatient visiting outside normal hours will have to pay 20 US dollars.
In-patient fees for residents have also increased across clinics, from 20 US dollars for nursery and paediatrics to 75 US dollars for the intensive care unit.
Surgery fees have also been introduced up to 200-US dollars.
Our Correspondent in Pago Pago Monica Miller says many patients are unhappy.
"A rate increase doesn't necessarily mean the quality of service will improve. And lots of people were compalining about customer service when they come in. There's still a lot of opposition and people saying the hospital is not justified to raising fees to this level."
Monica Miller.
Meanwhile, the territory's governor has announced that the legislature will convene on November the 14th in a ten-day special session to deal with outstanding issues including the 10 million dollar loan for the Medical Centre.
