There is hope that this month's planned merger of Samoa's Ministry of Health with the National Health Service will result in better conditions for staff and improved services for patients.
Both offices have been separate for a decade but it's been announced they'll combine again at the end of the month.
The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri, said the separation had resulted in many difficulties for the running of the health service.
The editor of the Samoa Observer newspaper, Mata'afa Keni Lesa, said it was never a very good idea in the first place.
"Now obviously them going back is the ultimate admission that it wasn't working and it has failed and I certainly hope it's going to mean better services and better delivery of basic health services to people in Samoa," he said.
Mata'afa said separating the two bodies meant the bulk of funds was spent on personnel instead of on service delivery.
Photo caption: Director General of Health, Leausa Dr Take Naseri