American Samoa's LBJ Hospital is to receive $624,000 to purchase dialysis machines and supplies under a bill just approved by the US House and Senate.
Congressman Faleomavaega Eni Hunkin had asked for $1 million to buy critically needed dialysis and diagnostic equipment for the hospital's dialysis clinic, intensive care and emergency rooms .
Faleomavaega said even with the reduced amount approved by Congress, LBJ will be in a better position to offer improved healthcare for residents of American Samoa.
He says he hopes that some of the available funding will be used to buy dialysis machines for the Manu'a islands, whose residents now have to travel to the main island Tutuila for treatment.
