The Samoa Medical Association (S.M.A) held its 67th Annual General meeting on Thursday.
The opening prayer was conducted by Reverend Elder Situfu Tanielu and the keynote address was delivered by the Patron of the S.M.A, the Head of State, His Highness Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi. The Annual General Meeting ended with the election of the Patron and Vice Patrons and the new Executive Committee for 2014-2015. They are as follows:
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Patron: The Head of State of Samoa Tui Atua Tupua Tamasese Efi
Vice Patrons: Afioga Kasiano Leaupepe, La’auli Alan Grey, Komisi Patrick Chan Mow Executive Committee 2014-2015:
President: Dr. Mauinuuese Imo President Elect: Salausa Dr. John Ah Ching Immediate Past President: Leausa Toleafoa Dr. Take Naseri
Secretary: Dr. Litara Esera-Tulifau Assistant Secretary: Dr. Salote Vaai Treasurer: Savaiigaea Dr. Alfredo Adams Executive Members: Uitualagi Dr. Tia Vaai, Tupuivao Dr. Titi Lamese, Misa Faalavaau Dr. Navy Collins
The combined 67th Scientific Seminar hosted by the Samoa Medical Association (SMA) and the Samoa Association of General Practitioners (SAGP) was held on the Friday 30th May 2014.
The theme for the Seminar was “There is no Health without Mental Health”. The theme confirms the strong commitment of the two associations to the mental health cause.
It was a productive seminar bringing together the views of mental health specialists and carers locally and abroad, in addressing and identifying key areas to develop and improve mental health services in Samoa.
The 67th Scientific Seminar concluded with the following recommendations in the hope to improve the quality of Mental Health Services in Samoa.
1. To separate Mental Health from Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs) in the Health Sector Plan 2008-2018 to ring fence funding and resources for Mental Health
2. To develop and implement a Mental Health Strategic Plan aligned with the Health Sector Plan (2008-2018) and to be integrated into the NHS Corporate Plan. The Mental Health Strategic Plan will address all the key areas identified from the seminar such as funding; human resource recruitment, training and retention; provide appropriate infrastructure; strengthen mental health care at all levels from primary to tertiary health care; research; enhance and strengthen partnerships with local and international organizations etc..
3. Mental health patients must be cared for in hospitals, except for extremely exceptional circumstances where prison may be the best place for management. Mental health care services must be provided for all patients that have been transferred to prison.
4. To include substance abuse and alcohol abuse with mental health.
The Samoa Medical Association also acknowledged and congratulated Leota Dr. Lisi Petaia on her achievements as the first Samoan and Pacific Islander to graduate with Fellowship in Psychiatry from the Royal College of New Zealand.
This is indeed a great honour to the Samoa Medical Association and to our country. Fuimaono Karl Pulotu Endemann, a renowned Consultant Psychiatric Nurse Specialist in New Zealand, was also one of the guest speakers for the Seminar.
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