Three patients have successfully undergone the first ever open heart surgery conducted in Samoa and are now in post-operative care.
40 medical staff from New Zealand, including cardiac surgeons, an anaesthetist, intensive care specialists and a physiotherapist, are in Apia on a voluntary medical mission.
Up to 12 patients have been shortlisted to undergo the operation at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.
A co-ordinator of the mission, Dr Benji Benjamin, says it's been a moving time for everyone.
"The staff found it so emotional and it's so touching because these are patients from the age 15 to 25. And most of them are between the age 15 and 20. And they got very advanced rheumatic heart disease and if they don't do the operation most of them will die in 2 years time. So it's a lifesaving measure but it's happening for the first time in Samoa."
Dr Benji Benjamin, the medical director for oncology at Auckland Hospital.
