A new hospital will soon be established in the constituency of Satupa’itea, Savai’i.
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The project was revealed by Acting Prime Minister and Member of Parliament for Satupa’itea, Lautafi Selafi Purcell in an interview.
Speaking to the Sunday Samoan, Lautafi said their proposal for a hospital was approved by the Embassy of Japan.
Construction on the hospital will kick start in the beginning of next year.
As for the cost, Lautafi declined to put a figure on it saying it was early stages.
“It’s going to be a medical center to start off with,” said the Acting Prime Minister.
“The idea is to have it as a community-run project where there is a big involvement from the village in running the hospital…the professionals (doctors and nurses) will be there but the village will assist in terms of maintenance and keeping it clean.”
Lautafi said the women’s committee will play a key role in the project as well as the villages and their involvement.
What he would like to see, is the constituency taking ownership of the hospital and not be seen as “outsiders” with the mindset that it belongs to government.
“Women’s Committees manage day to day activities keeping it clean,” explained the Satupa’itea M.P. “It will generate employment for the constituency as well providing work for carpenters who can fix small things when they are broken in the hospital and also provide cleaners.”
The Acting Prime Minister added the district is finalising land to build the hospital on.
On another matter, Lautafi confirmed the subvillages of the constituency have unanimously agreed to back him in the March general election.
According to Lautafi the constituency was divided in the past 40 years but that has changed.
Asked what divided the constituency he explained it was differences amongst the ancestors a long time ago.
“That was my first priority when I entered (parliament); to reunite them,” recalled the Acting Prime Minister.
“In the past years it was difficult to bring the constituency together to meet but they have now stood in solidarity. I guess an indication of unity is them agreeing to support me.”
Lautafi said he had met with his sub village of PitonuĐ who had maintained their support for him and the same with the sub villages of Vaega and Satufia.
He added the Ali’I and Faipule and pastors played a huge role in uniting the sub villages.
“Even if I wanted unity but if they didn’t feel they wanted it, it wouldn’t happen,” said Lautafi.
“I just initiated it and worked through people that made it happen…so the Alii and Faipule made it possible with the support of pastors.”
Lautafi said he trusts the decision from Satupa’itea and will leave it to them.
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