Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — American Samoa was highlighted during the Advisor Roundtable Discussion at the National Governors Association (NGA) for the territory’s efforts in uniting local healthcare stakeholders.

The National Governors Association (NGA) held its annual Health and Human Services Institute in Atlanta, Georgia, August 27-29.  Representing American Samoa at the event were Public Policy Advisor Patrick Reid and Special Projects Manager Dr. Siniva Mann from the Office of the Governor.

American Samoa’s strategy around healthcare workforce development and the establishment of the Healthcare Workforce Development Advisory Council came about via Executive Order 005-24 signed by Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga on July 15.

Mr. Reid and Dr. Mann had the opportunity to discuss how American Samoa has corralled local healthcare stakeholders working collaboratively to address long standing emerging healthcare workforce and maternal and child health.

The three-day institute focused its sessions on key topics such as healthcare workforce development, maternal and child health, mental and behavioral health, workplace support, disease forecasting, emergency preparedness, and the integration of AI technology to improve benefits delivery across health and human services.

Dr. Mann emphasized that open communication and fostering a collaborative environment were critical to aligning stakeholders and addressing shared challenges. She emphasized the importance of focusing on the desired outcomes and the impact on the residents of American Samoa when uniting various initiatives.

Mr. Reid highlighted the importance of data and centralized systems that enable data analysis and sharing to enhance service delivery across all sectors, noting that this presents a significant opportunity for American Samoa's overall development, including the healthcare sector.

A key highlight of the institute was the representation of all U.S. territories, providing a platform for diverse perspectives and the exchange of ideas between territories and states.

ASG’s participation in the NGA continues to provide valuable policy resources, technical assistance, and best practices, contributing to the advancement of local healthcare governance & strategic planning.

Program Directors and staff of the National Governors Association (NGA) visited American Samoa for the first time in July to facilitate planning and provide insight into national trends and best practices ahead of the first Healthcare Workforce Advisory Council meeting.

(Source: ASG press release)