9 Feb 2012

American Samoa hospital lay-offs begin this week

3:56 pm on 9 February 2012

American Samoa senator Fuata Dr. T. Iatala says lay-offs at the LBJ Medical Center will start this Friday.

He says close to 300 workers, from all sectors, including more than 20 doctors, and other essential medical personnel, are included in the lay-offs.

The senator, who is also an on-call hospital pediatrician, says the lay-offs will continue until February the 19th unless the government provides emergency funding.

He has the urged the Fono to approve the money to help the hospital, which earlier this week was forced to hike fees by up to 400 percent.