Three doctors and the Director of Nursing at the Department of Health are among local residents stranded off island due to the suspension of flights as a result of the coronavirus pandemic.
Director of Health Motusa Tuileama Nua says this has exacerbated the medical staff shortage at a time when manpower is sorely needed to tend to DOH’s regular clinics and also take care of those in quarantine from the repatriation flights in Samoa.
Two of the doctors are stuck in the mainland along with the Director of Nursing while one doctor is in Fiji.
There are two medical teams providing round the clock care for those in quarantine at the DWYA Center and Sadies by the Sea and fatigue was beginning to set in because of the long hours expended for those on duty at the quarantine sites.
This is why DOH has recommended that repatriation flights from Samoa operate ever other day instead of daily.
At the Coronavirus Task Force meeting, Governor Lolo Moliga told the Health Director that he should rotate the doctors to alleviate the long hours for those at the quarantine sites.
The director responded that the other doctors are assigned to the regular DOH clinics.
