Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — World Health Organizations are in the territory on their first official visit. This was confirmed in a statement issued by the government this week.

“World Health Organization (WHO) Official Dr Kim Eva Dickson, along with several members of their WHO team, completed their first official visit to American Samoa since being in office in the Independent State of Samoa.”

The World Health Organization is a specialized agency of the United Nations responsible for international public health. Headquartered in Geneva, Switzerland, it has six regional offices and 150 field offices worldwide.

They met with Acting Governor Talauega E. V. Ale with the intent to meet with the American Samoa leaders since her first appointment to WHO Country Office and Representative of Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, and Tokelau in January 2022.

Dr. Dickson is a Public Health Physician with almost 30 years of international experience. She has worked at the national and international level with countries in Africa, Asia, Europe, America, and now in the

Pacific Region. As part of her official tour, Dr. Dickson presented her credentials and officially introduced herself as Head of WHO Office. She commended Acting Governor, who was also Chair of the COVID-19 Task Force and an advocate for Health related issues, for American Samoa’s “fantastic response to the COVID pandemic.”

“Healthcare is such a critical part of life,” stated Acting Governor Talauega.

“We commend you all for your support during the difficult time of the COVID pandemic, and we hope we can continue to partner in ways that can aid in your mission here in this region and in American Samoa.”

Leading the delegation is Kim Eva Dickson, Head of Office of Western Pacific Region of World Health and she was accompanied by WHO representatives, Dr. Dyxon Hansell, Kolisi Viki, Lepaitai Hansell, Izola A. Garcia and Leiema Hunt - Centers for Disease Control Field Representative.

“The introductory meeting concluded with an exchange of gifts as Dr. Kim Dickson presented a Samoan artifact kava bowl along with her credentials, and a signed copy of the latest version of the American Samoa 100 Years Under the United States Flag book from Acting Governor Ale.