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SAMOA
RENAL DIALYSIS UNIT FIRST IN THE PACIFIC |
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By Lagi Keresoma |
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The newly established Renal
Dialysis Unit in Samoa is "the first” in the Pacific. Samoa Prime
Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi, during his key note address
at the opening, invited other Pacific Islands to 'bring their
patients" to Samoa. He also asked the Samoan patients in New Zealand
to "return" home. There are about 12 - 14 Samoan patients currently
cared for in New Zealand, "who have longed to return home". Now is
the chance to do so!
The Government’s vision to provide quality care for its peopled
included the care for renal patients in Samoa; "to include primary,
secondary and tertiary prevention and renal dialysis services."
Samoa was one of the Pacific nations who sent its dialysis patients
to New Zealand at great cost to the Government. With the opening of
the new renal dialysis unit in Samoa, the Government is now "asking
and encouraging Samoan dialysis patients in New Zealand to return to
Samoa" to utilize this service. Other Pacific Island nations are
also encouraged to bring their patients to Samoa. At what cost, is
yet to be decided.
In 1999, a team was sent by the Cabinet to the LBJ Hospital in
American Samoa, "to look at their Dialysis Unit”. Mulitalo's first
official visit as a Minister to New Zealand in 2001, opened doors
for discussion with the New Zealand Government about the possibility
of establishing a dialysis unit in Samoa.
The team that was later sent over for negotiations included the
former Health CEO, Loloifie Dr. Eti Enosa, Dr. Satupaitea Viali
Leiataatimu (consultant physician), Mr. Samau Lokeni (former ACEO
Corporate Services), Dr. C. S. Benamin and Afioga Feesago Fepulea'i,
Samoa's High Commissioner to New Zealand.
In 2001, Dr, Satupaitea and Baxter Healthcare led a feasibility
study. The amount they came up with was US$20,000 per annum, which
was considered very expensive. The idea for a unit was then
abandoned. However in 2002, a renal unit was then opened at the
Tupua Tamasese Meaole hospital at Motootua with technical assistance
from NZAID.
In March 2003, Samoa faced a dilemma when New Zealand closed its
door on dialysis patients from Samoa, but allowed only "three
Haemdialysis and eleven Peritoneal Dialysis patients. |
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Rev. Siatua who led the service, Dr. Omi, WHO and Samoa Prime
Minister, Hon. Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi at the opening of the
renal dialysis unit at Motootua Hospital. (Photo: Lagi Keresoma)
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Former Cabinet Minister Hon. Polataivao Fosi returns home; one
of the first patients to be treated at the newly developed renal
dialysis unit at Motootua Hospital. (Photos: Lagi Keresoma) |
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Renal patients Rev. Filipo Meleisa, Foitau Meleisea and Fa’amu
Papali’i being greeted by Health officials and families at the
newly developed renal dialysis unit.
(Photos: Lagi Keresoma) |
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The same year in May through NZAID, New Zealand sponsored one medical officer,
DR. Belladonna Potoi and two registered nurses, Amelia Logai and Fa'asalele
Tupou to undertake training at the Renal Unit at Auckland University.
In October 2004, the Minister of Health, Hon. Mulitalo Siafausa was appointed by
Cabinet as Chairman of the Renal Task Force, and negotiations regarding a fully
equipped renal dialysis unit project then kicked off.
In November 2004, the Task Force met for the first time in ensuring that the
"vision should be realized by the opening of the 6th Pacific Health Ministers
Meeting" in March 2005.
In December 2004, a Samoan delegation comprising an engineer from the Electric
Power Corporation, a member of the MWTI and Samoa Water Authority with a MOF
official went to Singapore. This was a chance for them to "view the plans and
the operations at the National Kidney Foundation Singapore (NKFS)." They
returned with plans for the Samoa Kidney Foundation (SKF) prepared by the NKFS.
All machines for the unit were manufactured in Germany. The NKFS is providing
technical assistance with its "10 station Haemodialysis Center with 12 Fresenius
machines. The centre has a "reverse Osmosis water purification plant" also
manufactured from Germany. It has two storage water tanks with "booster pumps
for uninterrupted water supply to the water purification plant, and a generator
for uninterrupted electricity for all the equipment inside."
The renal dialysis unit is operating well with staff consisting of Dr.Samir
Govil, a Nephrologist from India. Staff nurses Li Ping Singapore and Kon Wysin
of Singapore. Registered Nurses Amelia Logai and Fa'asalele Tupou of Samoa.
Technician Mr. P. Perambalam of Singapore and Dr. Bealladonna Potoi, who is
currently on overseas study leave.
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Copyright Event Polynesia Ltd.
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