The Director General of Health in Samoa has warned that the cost of sending people for treatment overseas will top $20 million tālā by the end of the current financial year from a budgeted $6 million tālā.
Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma told the Government Press in a joint discussion with Prime Minister Fiamē Naomi Mata’afa that the concern is that the cost for the government is not sustainable.
Most of the rising cost has been blamed on the failure by people to not take warnings on non-communicable diseases, seriously.
Aiono again stressed concern at the increasing number of young people sent for cancer and heart disease specialized treatment in New Zealand, a point PM Fiamē has warned about in the past.
“We need to address the high obesity and resultant diabetes and hypertension complications in our country,” said Aiono.
The Ministry of Health (MOH) is looking at alternatives and solutions to prevent the spike in the costs for these overseas treatments in New Zealand, which includes airfares and accommodation.
There are currently three options which the Ministry is eyeing as a solution to ensure that there is treatment available and a Prevention Framework in place.
One option is for patients to be referred to Fiji for pediatric heart surgery, according to Aiono — who also revealed plans to revisit treatment on island.
He added, early detection and treatment will prevent expensive overseas treatment.
The Health Ministry has put out a call for an advisor to do a study whether it was more cost-effective to provide angiogram and stenting services in Samoa, or whether people with blocked coronary arteries should be referred overseas.
The MOH is proposing a Cancer Center, which will also be able to provide specified chemotherapy treatment with guidance from overseas partners.
“And then there is palliative and hospice care for those who cannot be referred because of advanced disease.”
