Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The Lyndon B Johnson, Tropical Medical Center has announced a medical scholarship at the Fiji University Medical School in 2023.

The deadline is October 30, 2022.

This is outlined in an announcement posted on the hospital’s website. The announcement states that bachelor’s degrees in science is a prerequisite to becoming a medical physician candidate and attend the Fiji National University Medical School in February.

This is part of the American Samoa Government and LBJ Medical Center initiative. “Classes will commence on location in Suva Fiji, the first week of February. Upon graduation from the 6-year program recipients will receive a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery degree.”

According to the FNU website the Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) program started in 2008 and it comprises six years, followed by a compulsory rotating internship of one year.

The program is divided into three phases namely, Preclinical, Para-Clinical and Clinical. In addition, the program will incorporate clinical practice from the start of the program.

 “This will ensure that the trainee doctors become familiar with the practice of medicine from the beginning and develop their problem-solving skills."

The ambition of the Umanand Prasad School of Medicine is to be recognized for producing graduates who are highly dedicated, effective and compassionate community leaders committed to fulfilling the health care needs of rural and underserved communities.

“Being the medical school of choice in the Asia Pacific region, UPSM aspires to produce efficient health care professionals with high scientific and moral standards. The MBBS takes a minimum of six years to complete unless a student is awarded credits for prior study.

“The course provides an overall introduction to the medical profession within an innovative and creative learning environment.

“By advancing the frontier of medical research, the MBBS [program] provides community based educational opportunities for learning of social and environmental aspects of disease and health, health services in the community and common health related problems in Fiji and the Pacific region. Furthermore, the course helps candidates to enhance their scientific knowledge, humanist approach and develop high ethical standards.

“Moreover, by being a leader and innovator in medical education, the course focuses on providing the link between professional skills and competences which in turn boosts the production of efficient and dedicated doctors and being effectual health care problem solvers.”

As reported earlier, the Oceania University of Medicine Dean for Samoa and Asia Pacific, Toleafoa Dr. Viali Lameko was in American Samoa last in efforts to revive its scholarship program in the territory that was halted in 2019.

Twenty years ago, OUM emerged as a trendsetter, blending interactive distance learning and traditional hands-on clinical training to bring medical education to students around the globe, helping aspiring medical practitioners overcome distance, personal, and professional barriers to achieve their dream of practicing medicine. OUM’s MD program is a full-scale, rigorous medical school curriculum, typically completed in 4 to 4.5 years.

Toleafoa told Samoa News that OUM offered full-tuition scholarships to eight American Samoa students in the past.

 “Only 3 have successfully completed our MD program to date, with one already taking a Residency Program in Family Medicine, in Hawaii.  Dr Ipo Haemaloto MD will return to American Samoa to serve her bond/ agreement with OUM after her residency program.

 “The other two recent graduates are vying for the United States Medical Licensing Examination Step 1 and 2 exams.”