The National Health Services of Samoa has celebrated ten years of service in Samoa since its separation from the Ministry of Health in 2006 with a special ceremony this week
The NHS though is still under the watchful eye of the Minister of Health Tuitaama Talalelei Tuitama, who reminded the NHS staff that while this is an important event, it is better to ask themselves, what are they celebrating?
“What steps have we taken since the separation? There is no question though that we have certainly moved forward,” he said.
“However, with that being said, have we uplifted? Have we moved upward as well? We need to look at ways to highlight that we are not only moving forward but also raising the standard of the health services in Samoa,” he added.
The NHS recently considered a review of the organization since the separation in late 2006. Such a review was requested in a meeting with the health services from New Zealand.
Minister Tuitama says that the separation still needs to prove its worth, adding there still needs to be more from the NHS in the coming years.
“This goes for anyone in the NHS, to be sure that whatever duties you are handed, you must do with commitment because you contribute to the growth of the services we give our people,” he said.
The National Health Services was separated from the Ministry of Health with the hope it would make the practical work of doctors in the hospital easier if they were separated from the civil duties within the Ministry.
It is these fruits that the Minister of Health says, must be sowed soon with full potential to ensure that the move by government is not a blind act.