5 Oct 2005

Samoan health minister contradicts PM's statement on NZ doctors

2:52 pm on 5 October 2005

Samoa's Minister of Health, Mulitalo Siafausa Vui, has contradicted information from the Prime Minister's office which said doctors were to arrive in Apia from New Zealand.

The office issued a press release, saying a team of 20 doctors from New Zealand was scheduled to arrive in the coming weeks to carry out heart operations.

But Mulitalo says he has no knowledge of this.

"I don't think so, that's the correct...there was no press release to that effect."

He says the government is instead working to get United Nations volunteers to help out during the doctors' strike.

This comes as the strike is into its fourth week, with doctors demanding a higher starting salary and better working conditions.