Cabinet Approves Five more Patients for Medical Treatment in India

2026-02-10 - 04:59

10 February 2026, By: Leota Marc Membrere, Gvt Press Secretariat. Prime Minister La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polata’ivao Fosi Schmidt announced that Cabinet had approved sending five more patients for medical treatment in India this week. The five patients will travel together with a doctor from the Moto‘otua National Hospital. Cabinet continues to approve overseas treatment for patients from Samoa, in New Zealand as well as India, said Laaulialemalietoa. There has been positive feedback from patients and their families, who have had successful surgeries from the government-led program. Beneficiaries of medical treatment have testified to the high quality of service – both timely and efficient procedures. Patients have also testified of the high level of professionalism and compassion shown by doctors and nurses, reassuring them at all times. “The quality of medical teams as well as the hospitals providing excellent care and attention to our patients while they undergo treatment and recovery from serious illnesses, is of the highest level..” Special mention was made of the Fortis Hospital and Apollo Hospital in India – these high level facilities are continuing to provide our Samoan patients with top quality treatment. Another matter highlighted by Minister of Health, Hon Va‘a‘aoao Salumālō Alofipō last week when he spoke to the media is the Government’s long-term vision to be able to bring in specialist doctors from other countries to work in partnership with Samoa. “So that specialised surgeries that currently cannot be performed in Samoa, can be carried out in-country.” As a long term sustainable goal for national health services, the Government continues its efforts to build local capacity and expand Hospital services. Major hospitals are being planned for Tuana‘imato and Salelologa, to expand the capacity of health services. Visit our website today and invest in your future. There are also extensive plans to ensure the availability of specialist doctors who can perform surgeries for our people in Samoa. This would also significantly reduce the money spent annually on sending patients overseas for treatment in India and New Zealand. Specials from our Family of Advertisers