16 Aug 2006

American Samoa patient numbers rise again

7:20 pm on 16 August 2006

Officials at American Samoa's LBJ hospital say the number of patients being seen is nearly back at the levels they were before charges were doubled.

The chief financial officer, David Deprin, says the expectations the numbers would bounce back after a few months is being realised.

He said all of the out-patient clinics are reporting higher patient numbers after a significant drop after the fee increase.

The new fees came into effect on April the first.