There are is no shortage at the Pediatric Ward and Clinic, says Assistant Medical Director, Dr. Annie Fuaivai, responding to Samoa News queries. Last week the public reached out to Tualauta Faipule Larry Sanitoa regarding the LBJ TMC Pediatric Services, particularly the fact they are struggling with in-patient physicians down to just four right now, with one away on vacation, and two scheduled to leave in August (one of those being a full year earlier than expected).

It was also reported that many off island contracts were being cut in salary and/or benefits when they came up for renewal, with the hospital losing valuable practitioners because of this. Upon hearing this, Rep. Sanitoa reached out to the Chairman of the House Health Committee, Rep Vesi Talalelei Fautanu for assistance.

However Dr. Fuavai told Samoa News there are seven pediatricians (physicians) and one nurse practitioner specialist in pediatrics, making up a total of eight people working in the Pediatric unit.

“Three physicians and one nurse are working at the pediatric clinic from Monday to Friday, 8am to 4pm and they see all pediatric cases that come through pediatric clinic; and they do not work on call nor do they have any responsibilities with the Pediatric Ward. The other four pediatricians manage the pediatric ward, and they work on call.

They also have the nurses and other pediatric consultations from other respective departments within the hospital such as the Emergency Room and Dental and other departments, in case their assistance in needed.

She confirmed that there are pediatricians whose contracts will expire next month, however she says it’s at their discretion if they want to renew or not. In the meantime, the hospital is hiring, and with the recent visit of a medical team by the Troy Polamalu foundation, the hospital has also asked that medical team for assistance in the recruitment area.

Fuavai also stated that two physicians are taking leave as per approval by the Chief Pediatrician, Dr James Marrone.

“There is no shortage,” said Fuavai.

In the meantime, Chairman of the House Health Committee acknowledged to Samoa News that he received the correspondence from Sanitoa and stated that he’s currently in Honolulu attending rounds of meetings and conferences with contributors of the Dialysis operations.

“I have taken steps in trying to solve some of those concerns that the Faipule from Tualauta, Hon. Sanitoa has eluded to, and I immediately contacted my co-chairman Atalina Asifoa and some of the health committee members such as Vui Florence Saulo to conduct a courtesy visit to the leadership at LBJ to get answers to satisfy the quality care for people.”

He said when it it comes to our health care services at LBJ, issues are very complicated and only the leadership from the hospital board members and the CEO and his administration can fix them. He said he is not downplaying the role from the legislative branch of holding their feet to the fire (excuse the expression)—“ to make absolutely sure we get quality care for all our people.”

Vesi further told Samoa News that he requested “an internal conference with the members of the health committee and invited LBJ and the Department of Health leadership in trying to put our fingers “to the root of our health care problems”, whether they be financial, resources and supplies, contracts—or the whole operation on its own.

“But for now I cannot speculate anymore on what’s going on with our health care system. I am sure the CEO is hard at work trying to fix issues that we've discussed in the early part of this year, so only time, which we don't have, will get the master plan of his operations.” Emails to Dr Marrone regarding the situation were not answered as of press time.