Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Demonstrating American Samoa’s ability to provide essential services locally, the LBJ Tropical Medical Center held a special ceremony on Nov. 1 to celebrate the opening of a new operating room for the territory’s only hospital.

In his keynote address, Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga said, "It's encouraging to see the advancements in healthcare for our territory. Having a new operating room that complies with federal standards and relevant building and healthcare regulations marks a significant milestone for our island, demonstrating our ability to provide essential services locally for our people."

Governor Lemanu emphasized that healthcare is a government priority, which is why upgrades have been made to medical facilities to meet specific standards and deliver quality services to the people.

The Governor thanked to the medical staff, saying, "This facility would mean little without the dedication you show in serving our people. I thank you for your commitment to caring for our community, and the government will continue to support and prioritize healthcare for the people of American Samoa."

American Sama Medical Centre Authority (ASMCA) Chairman Mualeava Dr. Aifili Tufa gave a brief project presentation. "This project was to renovate the existing labor and delivery room, nursing and operating suite, meeting current health building codes. The intent of the project was to provide adequate space for patients, doctors, nurses, support services as well as providing appropriate equipment, diagnosis machines, furnitures to serve the critical area of the facility."

Chairman Mualeava expressed appreciation on behalf of the medical center and the ASMCA Board in the completion of the project, which began in 2015. He extended gratitude to the Governor and the Fono for their support in bringing it to fruition. He also noted that the ASMCA Board's next project will be constructing a new morgue and chapel in the coming months.

The Board of Directors Representative Faimealelei A. Allen welcomed distinguished guests, including Governor Lemanu P.S. Mauga, First Lady Ella Mauga, Senator Vice President Magalei Logovii, Speaker of the House Savali Talavou Ale, members of the Fono, cabinet members, Office of Insular Affairs Department of the Interior Field Representative Mrs. Lydia Faleafine-Nomura as well as LBJ Medical Center's management and staff.

LBJ Chaplain Reverend Tumau Petaia led the ceremony with an opening prayer and remarks.

The project was constructed by Paramount Builders Incorporated, funded by the Office of Insular Affairs, Department of the Interior.

The ceremony concluded with the ribbon cutting by First Lady Ella Mauga, after which guests were invited to tour the new LBJ Operating room facilities.