APIA, 05 DECEMBER 2019 -The main challenge for UNICEF staff working in Samoa during the measles epidemic is the increase in hospital admissions, the children’s charity says. As of Wednesday, there are now 62 measles-related deaths, with children making up most of the fatalities. There are also 174 people still in hospital including 18 critically-ill […]
Tag: health issues
Posted inTop Stories
Senate committee questions HCF’s authority to stop payment of follow up care
Chairwoman Senator Rukebai Inabo, Senate Committee on Public Utilities, Communications, & Housing Development (PUC&HD) questioned HealthCare Fund Board’s decision to stop coverage of the follow-up medications of recovering cancer patients in a letter to the HCF Administrator Ulai Teltull on December 4, 2019. “By unilaterally enacting this policy change, has the HealthCare Fund overstepped the […]
Posted inOpinion
Samoa measles death toll now reaches 53
APIA,02 DECEMBER 2019 (SAMOA GOVT/FSMPIO) — Samoa’s Ministry of Health has confirmed a total of 3,728 measles cases have been reported to the Disease Surveillance Team, since the outbreak started. There were 198 recorded in the last 24 hours. To date, 53 measles related deaths have been recorded, with five fatalities in the last 24 […]
Posted inPacific News
All eyes on Samoa as measles epidemic worsens
APIA, 02 NOVEMBER 2019 (SAMOA OBSERVER) — As the measles epidemic claims 48 lives and infects over 3500, the world’s attention is on the heart of the Pacific in Samoa. While measles has broken out across the world, nowhere has it claimed as many lives relative to Samoa, raising the urgent question of why. Here […]
Posted inPacific News
People & Government of Samoa: The Federated States of Micronesia Extends its Love, Sympathies, Prayers, & Solidarity in Your Time of Crisis
WENO, Chuuk—Following a joint leadership discussion between His Excellency David W. Panuelo, President of the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM), the Honorable Wesley W. Simina, Speaker of the 21st FSM Congress, et al., on November 30th, 2019, the 21st Congress of the FSM passed on 2nd reading Congressional Bill 21-107, which authorizes $100,000 (one hundred thousand […]
Posted inTop Stories
Cancer follow up care cost discontinued due to high cost: HCF
Healthcare Fund (HCF) implemented a policy discontinuing its coverage of medication cost of cancer patients after they complete their off-island treatment drawing flag from policy makers. In a letter explaining the reasons for their follow-up care policy, HCF Administrator Ulai Teltull expressed that the cost of the oral chemo medication taken after the patient has […]