The General Manager of the National Health Services is defending a planned radiothon to seek contributions towards an $800,000 payment for its CT Scan machine.
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Set for 31 October, 2015, letters seeking donations signed by Leota Laki Sio have been distributed to local businesses.
Dated 9 October, 2015, the letters read:
“The [N.H.S.] recently acquired a new CT Scan Machine for its Medical Imaging (X-Ray) Services.
The availability of this machine has significantly lifted the standard of X-ray services in Samoa, let alone the valuable support given to the medical services. In addition it will also generate other benefits for N.H.S. in health and for Samoa in the socioeconomic area.”
The machine cost about $2.3 million, which was funded with a soft-term loan from A.C.C. of $1.2 million and a $300,000 donation from A.C.C. That left a shortfall of $800,000.
“N.H.S is looking for support to fund the shortfall detailed above. For this reason, N.H.S is humbly seeking your generous hand to be part of this important service. Your donation will be of great value as it will contribute to early identification and management of illnesses to promote continuity of care for our society to have quality of life.”
Asked why government and other donor organizations were not footing the bill, Leota said the radiothon was an initiative to seek support and more to partner with the public and community, given the importance of the machine.
“Whilst we normally rely on the usual sources to fund these, N.H.S. has decided to explore support and help from the public and community, not only strengthening relationships as a partner in health, but also the realization that health care services is for all the people of Samoa.
“Assistance is being sought from the private sector as they are very much part of the community at large in Samoa.
Their participation through voluntary donations again supports the notion of partnership for the improvement of health care services.
“It is our firm belief that healthy people will create a healthy nation and the benefits to the private sector is a healthy workforce,” Leota said.
The response had been encouraging and all money would be acknowledged with great appreciation.
Leota emphasized that this was a voluntary call for the people of Samoa and those who had been approached for donations.
“The private sector - meaning those who operate businesses independently including the Samoa Observer - are not obliged to donate and I hope you can take this initiative as a positive step in developing healthy partnerships amongst the various sectors in our country.”
Leota said Samoa had a strong culture based on love, respect and sharing.
The amount was not an issue, as it was the thought that counted, he said.
“I also hope you will realize the challenges that N.H.S. is facing in the delivery of its services with whatever resources given by our various partners.
“N.H.S. has lots of partners worldwide who voluntarily donate for the same purpose we are asking the people of Samoa through this radiothon.”
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