The Samoa Government patrol boat Nafanua II yesterday made a special trip to Pago Pago to uplift an emergency order of oxygen. The vessel arrived in Pago Pago around 5 yesterday morning and returned to Samoa at noon.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua said he received a call from Samoa Saturday asking for assistance in getting the emergency order of oxygen to supply the Motootua Hospital’s Intensive Care Unit whose supply was running low due to the measles epidemic.
Local company Industrial Gases was quick to respond and supplied 97 G-size oxygen cylinders which the Nafanua took to Samoa.
The Health Director thanked Acting Governor Lemanu Peleti Mauga and Governor’s Office staff, Director of Port Administration and Attorney General’s Office, Immigration Division for their cooperation and assistance in pulling off the emergency shipment in such a short time.
“They really bent backwards and we were able to respond to the call for help from Samoa,” said Motusa.
The Nafanua II also brought more than 30 empty oxygen cylinders which are to be refilled and sent on the Lady Naomi this Thursday.
The death toll from the measles epidemic in Samoa has now reached 25.
All of the deceased were aged 4 years and under except for one 37 year old male.
The latest release from Samoa’s National Emergency Operations Centre shows that a total of 2,194
measles cases have been recorded.
The number of patients admitted in hospitals around the country with measles is 679 and of that number, 471 have been discharged.
Some members of the public have asked if American Samoa is sending any assistance in response to the measles epidemic in Samoa.
KHJ News put the question to the Governor’s Executive Assistant Iulogologo Joseph Pereira.
He said the issue of aid to Samoa in the form of vaccines was discussed at the onset of this epidemic in Samoa.
“Given that we are subject to Federal Rules and Regulations such aid needed
to be cleared from our Grantor.”
Iulogologo explained that the basic issue of concern emanating during discussions of assistance is the issue of liability should a situation arise where someone might be seriously affected by the vaccine.
He added that the Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua who has been granted emergency authority is pursuing this issue with grantors.
“The Governor and Lieutenant Governor will be briefed on the outcome.”
Iulogologo said that Director Motusa is communicating with his counterpart in Samoa,Leausa Dr. Take Naseri.
“The issue of assistance is on the minds of the Governor and Lieutenant Governor and it is important that aid is provided where it is most needed. I think this is being discussed between Leausa Dr. Take Naseri and Director Motusa. This issue I am sure will be further explored upon the return of the Governor,” elaborated the governor’s executive assistant.
Other than new Zealand and Australia which have sent in medical teams and vaccines,French Polynesia has also dispatched two doctors and an epidemiologist to Apia.
Photo: NZ Defense Force
