Transcript
AUTAGAVAIA TIPI AUTAGAVAIA: Yes of course it was upgraded. And you know those new x-ray machines have been there not too long ago, the dentist, the operating theatre is there. But as you can see, it looks now like everything is operational now at Tuasivi hospital but most of the critical cases are [still] being referred to the main hospital in Apia.
SARA VUI-TALITU: I have questions about maintenance now so do you see these machines and this hospital being well enough resourced?
AT: Yes it has been a while and to be honest I have not been to Tuasivi Hospital probably for about 3-4 years ago now, but I do remember a story I had filed about an upgrade to the Tuasivi hospital by donors including the World Bank and other donor organisations and overseas. But that has been the aim of the government to improve the medical services for people living on Savai'i.
SV: In relation to what is now on offer there, is it enough?
AT: Well in the past years there were no services like that provided at Tuasivi. Most of the cases were being referred over to the main hospital in Apia. But since they had the x-ray services there at the Tuisivi Hospital they improved the operating theatre there and the dentist. Most of the cases for patients in those areas were being treated there in Apia.
SV: So it is a significant shift now for people's health over there now?
AT: Yes the significant shift is for people to get easier access to the services provided usually at the main hospital in Apia. Now Tuisivi has those services now available here at Tuisivi. Not really for critical cases, but others can now be dealt with by doctors in Savai'i. Just not the critical case, which will still be referred to the main hospital in Apia.
