Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The House Health Committee carried out a second site visit to the LBJ Medical Center on Tuesday morning, followed by a question and answer session with LBJ management, says committee chairwoman Rep. Andra T. Samoa.

The committee held its’ first visit about two weeks ago where they were joined by the Senate Health and LBJ Committee members following a suggestion by House Vice Speaker Savali Talavou Ale.

Responding to Samoa News queries, Rep. Samoa explained the intent of the committee's site visit a few weeks ago “was to see the status of the LBJ's readiness in preparing for a case of positive COVID outbreak IF and WHEN it occurs, in addition to visiting the new laboratory and the negative pressure rooms that will protect the community from a COVID positive patient.”

“We also wanted to visit the LBJ to see the status and condition of their renovation and expansion of their 2nd story addition,” she pointed out.

House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr. (far right), led members of the House Health Committee’s site visit to LBJ Medical Center on Tuesday. This photo provided by committee chairwoman, Rep. Andra Samoa shows LBJ management — including CEO, Faumuina John Faumuina (third from third) and Sa Mavaega (2nd from right) who heads the hospital’s Engineering and Maintenance division. The group is shown on the ground floor of the building where construction is underway for the second floor. [photo: provided Rep. A. Samoa]

Asked what stood out in the committee’s visit, she said the “committee saw the 10 negative pressure rooms, the new laboratory for COVID test and equipment and the amount of renovation to expand the LBJ's services for our community.”

Regarding the site visit on Tuesday this week, she said it was led by House Vice Speaker Fetu Fetui Jr. and House members in the group included herself, Sam Meleisea, Vailiuama Steve Leasiolagi, Vai Maiava, Sua Alexander Eli Jennings and Mike Asifoa.

The site visit followed a question and answer session with LBJ chief executive officer, Faumuina John Faumuina and hospital management.

LBJ Medical Center chief executive officer, Faumuina John Faumuina (second from right) along with LBJ management and lawmakers during Tuesday’s site visit by the House Health Committee, whose chairwoman Rep. Andra Samoa provided this photo. [photo: provided Rep. A. Samoa]

Among the topics covered, said Rep. Samoa, were nursing staff shortage and overtime; doctor shortages; EMS staffing shortage; COVID-19 preparedness; Facilities/ Maintenance Plan update; and Bio waste Disposal/Cremation services which included the status of the rotoclave, a device for sterilizing medical waste.