22 Nov 2013

US funded district hospital for Samoa officially opened

10:26 am on 22 November 2013

Samoa has a new district hospital funded by the United States at a cost of over one million US dollar.

The hospital, opposite Faleolo international airport, will serve people on the western side of Upolu which includes the districts of A'ana, Aiga ile Tai, Samatau and Falelatai

It will provide emergency and outpatient services, some overnight admissions and maternal care.

The US Ambassador for Samoa, David Huebner, in opening it on Thursday, said it was a joint project with the National Health Services.

The US Navy Pacific Command funded the clinic on behalf of the US government from its Humanitarian assistance fund.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints in Samoa funded an ultrasound machine for the hospital, while the government of Israel donated medical supplies.

The land the hospital is built on was at the centre of a dispute between the government and villagers of Satapula, who claimed the land belonged to them.

In 2012, the villagers blocked one lane of the main road from Apia to Faleolo International Airport to show their opposition over the use of the land.