American Samoa's governor has signed into law legislation that lays out guidelines for health authorities to follow in the event a terminally ill patient does not want to be kept alive.
The territory's hospital is required under Federal regulations to have such a law in place.
In approving the bill, Togiola Tulafono says this important measure recognizes and validates the wishes of an individual regarding their health care under local law.
He says the bill also fulfills the LBJ hospital's important requirement under Federal regulations.
Our Correspondent in American Samoa, Fili Sagapolutele, says the legislation took effect immediately.
"What the hospital will be doing right now is to train the staff to make sure they are aware of the advanced directive for patients that come into the hospital. It will take them a while to train everyone, and according to hospital officials it shouldn't take that long to make sure that everybody is well aware of their own rights and responsibilities before they are admitted to the hospital."
