Candidates Explain Their Plans to Improve Services for Special Population

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What does it take for the government of American Samoa to recognize and accept the expertise of outside professional health care providers who are willing to help people with special needs?

This was the challenging question that the frustrated mother of a special child asked at the final forum for the gubernatorial teams yesterday.

All six candidates running for the top two leadership positions in the executive branch attended the forum, hosted by the Developmental Disabilities Network, a group which combines agencies in the government and non profit organizations who are service providers or advocate for people with special needs.

The questions were posed by a panel of parents, advocates and individuals with special needs.

Several parents on the panel used the opportunity to relate their frustrations at inadequate or lack of services for their children and family members.

To the question what does it take for the government to accept help from outside professionals willing to help people with special needs, candidate for governor Faoa Aitofele Sunia vowed that if elected their team will implement their health care platform and come up with ways to make doctors stay in American Samoa.

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Responding on behalf of the Lolo and Lemanu team, Lemanu Sialega Palepoi Peleti Mauga talked about the administration’s totality approach and long term solutions for health care for everyone including those with special needs.
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Tuika Tuika said they cannot make any decisions without understanding how much the hospital is receiving from the federal and local government and  exisitng services.

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