Donor partners question Health expenditure

Overseas donor partners are questioning whether the government should contribute more to the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.), a Parliamentary report has revealed.

In its report on the M.O.H.’s Annual report for the Financial Year ending June 30 2010 to the Legislative Assembly, the Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development (H.S.S.I.A.C.S.D.) Committee noted this fact during its discussion on the Ministry’s finances.

Associate Minister, Gatoloaifa'ana Amataga Gidlow serves as the Committee’s Chairperson.

Tupuimatagi Palanitina Toelupe was serving as the M.O.H. C.E.O. during this reporting period.

The Committee says that the Ministry was allocated $67 million for the financial year mentioned above.

“From this amount, $4.6 million was for the Ministry whereas the rest was allocated to National Health Service and the National Kidney Foundation,” the report reads.

“The annual budget for the Ministry does not include Health Awareness Programs. Currently awareness programs are funded by donors.

“However, these overseas donors/aids [sic] are starting to question if there should be contribution by the Government in funding these awareness and prevention programs.

The Committee noted that this is one of the challenges faced by the Ministry.”

Furthermore, the Committee reported that the M.O.H. confirmed the public is widely affected by non-communicable diseases.

“Since 2005 to 2010, diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases have affected large proportion of the population,” the paper reads.

“However, the Committee noted that there are not enough awareness programs on effects of these health issues.

“The Committee advised the Ministry to review the clarity of the awareness programs on the effects of smoking which are misinterpreted by the children.”

In regards to this issue, the H.S.S.I.A.C.S.D.

Committee cited further issues the Ministry encountered.

“There are still some problems in maintaining the conditions of the Project for School Facilities by the Committees of the Schools on the safety and health of the children,” it reports.

“There is a great need to improve the partnership between the Ministry of Health and Private Health Sector (Doctors) and other Ministries with the similar services.” For these reasons and based on its findings the Committee went on to recommend to government to further encourage awareness programs.

“To minimise the expenses on treatments not only in Samoa but overseas countries as well,” it says.

In addition to Gatoloaifa'ana, Aeau Peniamina Leavaise'eta serves as the Committee’s Deputy Chairman and Ifopo Matia Filisi, Aveau Nikotemo Palamo, So'oalo Mene, Motuopua'a Aisoli Va'ai and Alo Fulifuli Tave'uve'u served as members.

The report is republished in full below:

1. Recommendation The Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee recommends that the Assembly takes note of its Report.

2. Preamble

The Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee is constituted pursuant to the provisions of Standing Orders 171:

3. Standing Order 171: In compliance with Standing Order 171, it shall be the duty of the Health and Social Services, Internal Affairs, Community and Social Development Committee.

(a) To consider any bill, petition or other matter referred by the Assembly or pursuant to Standing Orders; and such Estimates or review of ministerial performance as may be referred by the Finance and Expenditure Committee;

(b) To examine the policy, administration and expenditure of the ministries and associated government organizations related to health, housing and social services, internal affairs, community and social development.

4. Paper Considered:

(Tabled 6/3/2012)(Referred 7/3/2012) P.P.2011/2012 No.94, Annual Report of the Ministry of Health for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2010.

5. Witnesses:

In the course of its considerations, the Committee was able to hear evidence submitted by:-

5.1 Ministry of Health Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe – Director General/Chief Executive Officer Leāusa Take Naseri – Assistant Chief Executive Officer Sarah Faletoese – Assistant Chief Executive Officer Mateo Ah Tong – Principal Accountant Rumanusina Maua – Principal, Human Resource

6. Findings

This is the 4th Annual Report for the Ministry of Health since it has been separated with the National Health Services in 2006; the Management is continuing to fulfill its duties and responsibilities in accordance with its mandates.

The Committee noted that the Ministry comprises of six (6) divisions undertaking different duties in order to acquire the standards as recommended by the World Health Organisation. These divisional structures are set out in order for the Ministry to meet its targeted goals and objectives within the nation in accordance with its mandates and policy as a guideline for its services.

Government and Leadership:

Comprises of the Executive and Management of the Ministry, they oversee the duties and responsibilities are carried out in accordance with the Ministry of Health Act 2006. The Committee notes that the restructure that was carried out by the Executive and Management allows for each section and the services provided to achieve its set objectives.

Health Services Health Services means services provided to people regarding safety and helpful for people who need medical attention, at the right time and place, and to minimize waste of resources.

Its overall objective, consist's of Doctors and Medical Consultants for Nurses and Midwives, Marketing and Health Safety.

The Committee noted that the Ministry is still looking into ways to further improve its services in order to satisfy the public affected by any kind of medical issues.

Health Workforce

The improvement to the services of the Ministry is dependent on the services provided by its staff, for they are the forefront face of the Ministry to the public. The services should be in line with and sufficient for those who are in need of health resources. These also should have an adequate number of qualified staff to carry out and conduct such duties.

The Committee noted the importance of the services provided by the Ministry and the Ministry intends to maintain these standards as well as further equip its staff in servicing the public.

Health Information Services

This is one of the most vital roles of the Ministry, to keep track of its records and findings in order to be updated with the Health status of the country. Furthermore, with the information collected the Ministry will be able monitor the health status of the public.

In the current financial year considered, the challenge faced by the Ministry is obtaining records and information from various health care sectors to formulate policies and standards for advisory to the Government on Health Developments. The Ministry’s intention is to correlate with the private health sector (Practitioners) as well as the Ministries and organizations with the similar services in gathering information in order to review the health status of the country.

Health Financing Services The focus of this division is for financial distribution throughout the Ministry as well as reporting on budget summary for Health and its policies.

Committee noted the maintaining of the ministries funds reflect on the budget and ways in which to guarantee that the resources are fully utilized by the people who need medical care. Confirmed by the Ministry, $4.6million was given to them under the Government budget for this Financial Year.

6.1 Overall View The Ministry confirms that the public is widely affected by non-communicable diseases. Since 2005 to 2010, diabetes, hypertension and heart diseases have affected large proportion of the population.

However the Committee noted that there are not enough awareness programs on effects of these health issues. The Committee advised the Ministry to review the clarity of the awareness programs on the effects of smoking which are misinterpreted by the children.

The Committee noted some of the challenges encountered by the Ministry include:

- There are still some problems in maintaining the conditions of the Project for School Facilities by the Committees of the Schools on the safety and health of the children.

- There is a great need to improve the partnership between the Ministry of Health and Private Health Sector (Doctors) and other Ministries with the similar services.

6.2 Financing Confirmed by the Committee, $67million was allocated to the Ministry under the Government budget in the Financial Year ending 30 June 2010. From this amount, $4.6million was for the Ministry whereas the rest was allocated to National Health Service and the National Kidney Foundation. The annual budget for the Ministry does not include Health Awareness Programs.

Currently awareness programs are funded by donors. However these overseas donors/ aids are starting to question if there should be contribution by the Government in funding these awareness and prevention programs. The Committee noted that this is one of the challenges faced by the Ministry.

7. Recommendations Based on its findings the Committee recommends that the Government:

1. To further encourage awareness programs, to minimize the expenses on treatments not only in Samoa but overseas countries as well.

2. To encourage partnership between the Ministry, Private Doctors and other sectors and organizations with similar services in gathering information on the health status of the country and for providing quality health care needed for the public.

3. To consider the challenges with the health services being provided to the public, should be given without delay and must be easily understood to avoid complaints that will jeopardize the services of the Doctors and Nurses.

8. Resolution At the conclusion of its consideration, the Committee resolved to recommend to the Assembly; That the P.P.P.2011/2012 No.94, Annual Report of the Ministry of Health for the Financial Year ended 30th June 2010 be approved. Hon. Gatoloaifaana Amataga A. Gidlow Chairperson