Senator Tuaolo Fruean has vouched for the high standard of care received by patients who are referred for medical treatment in New Zealand,
Last week the Pago Pago senator informed the chamber that he has been a recipient of the NZ off island referral program and it was top quality health care.
He said he and his son were met upon arrival and taken to a family’s home where they stayed and we well looked after,
He said he was transported to and from his medical appointments and the care provided by the New Zealand hospital he was referred to was excellent.
Senator Nuanuaolefeagaiga Saoluaga Nua queried why local patients are being sent to New Zealand.
He said local residents don’t have relatives in New Zealand to take them to their appointments and look after them while they are awaiting medical treatment like in Hawaii and the US.
He asked that the Director of the Medicaid Office, Sandra King Young, be called in to brief senators about the referral of local patients to New Zealand.
Other health related issues that were raised last week were the delays in processing health cards for 2018.
DOH only issues 20 health cards a day and this is only on Monday, Wednesday and Friday.
With the start of production for StarKist Samoa yesterday, large crowds of workers were trying to get 2018 health cards before the start of work.
Senator Faiivae Iuli said he had looked into the matter and h=what he found was disappointing because it clearly illustrates that the public is not being served adequately.
He asked that the director of health be summoned to explain the situation.
Health Director Motusa Tuileama Nua, CEO of LBJ Hospital Faumuina John Faumuina, Chairman of the Board Iulogologo Joseph Pereira, Medical Director Dr. Iotamo Saleapaga and Director of the Medicaid Office Sandra King Young are among health authorities being summoned to a Senate hearing this morning.
