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Samoa International Health Insurance / Healthcare System |
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Samoa is situated in the South Pacific Ocean and is made up of nine volcanic islands. It has a population of around 219,000 people. The islands of Savai'i and Upolu are the two largest and most populated islands in Samoa. The capital Apia is the largest city in Samoa and is situated on Upolu – the second largest island.
The pacific Island nation of Samoa has a stable political system and has an expanding tourism industry, although the Samoan government relies of international financial aid to support its economy. The Samoan healthcare system has been able to develop over time, with access to relatively good healthcare facilities. This has enabled the health of Samoans to improve in recent years.
The Samoan healthcare system is adequately developed for routine medical treatment, but it is limited in the range and availability of health services it can deliver. In the event of a medical emergency, a patient will need to be airlifted to Australia, New Zealand or Hawaii for treatment.
All foreign nationals are required to pay for all health services in Samoa, and Samoan healthcare facilities and doctors normally expect cash payment before carrying out any treatment.
The Samoan government agency – the Ministry of Health (MoH) – has the responsibility for leadership and governance of the Samoan health sector. Under a mandate in the Ministry of Health Act 2006, the Samoan MoH is required to perform regulatory and monitoring functions for the Samoan health system and is responsible for strategic planning, establishing health polices, and the quality of health in the country. The Samoan Government is the major provider of funding for the Samoan healthcare system – distributing funds when setting out the country's budget.
The Samoan healthcare system provides Samoan citizens with primary, secondary and limited tertiary healthcare services. This is delivered through the Samoan MoH network of healthcare facilities, which is comprised of rural healthcare centers and hospitals. Samoan tertiary care is limited and mainly provided by arrangement with New Zealand and the New Zealand healthcare system. If a Samoan citizen requires specialized medical treatment – outside the capabilities of the Samoan healthcare system – it can either be funded by the Samoan and New Zealand governments or at a patient's personal expense; this may be by out-of-pocket payment or through private Samoan health insurance.
The Samoan private healthcare sector has expanded over recent years, but is mostly confined to the capital Apia and consists of small hospital and clinics with a limited range of medical services they are able to offer patients. There are also Non-Government Organizations (NGO's) providing healthcare services in Samoa.
In 2005, the Samoan healthcare workforce consisted of 50 doctors, 6 dentists, 3 pharmacists, 136 nurses and 73 auxiliary staff. The MoH is aiming to increase the number of medical professionals working in the Samoan healthcare system by improving the education and training processes. Medical professionals are spread across the islands, but most work in the healthcare facilities in the capital Apia.
As Samoa's health sector has steadily improved, diseases such as tuberculosis, measles and lymphatic filariasis have been better controlled. Samoa took major steps in combating Lymphatic filariasis – which is endemic to the country – with the Samoan government using a mass campaign to administer drugs to combat this parasitic disease. Typhoid and dengue fever are also endemic to Samoa and the MoH is to developing an action plan to combat the effects of any outbreaks of the disease.
The National Hospital – Tupua Tamasese Meaole (TTM) – is located in the capital Apia, providing primary, secondary and limited tertiary care. TTM is the national referral hospital for Samoa, providing limited specialist medical treatment for Samoan citizens; this includes outpatient clinics, in-patient care and the undertaking of surgical procedures. The other main publicly run healthcare facility is the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital in Tuasivi located on the largest island Savaii; this provides pathology, pharmacy and dental services. Medical specialist working at TTM in the medical departments of paediatrics, internal medicines, gynecology and surgery, will also work at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital in Tuasivi, when their medical expertise is required.
Medcen is a privately run hospital on the island of Upolu, with four doctors and ten nurses present. It has its own laboratory facilities, an emergency room, an operating room, general clinic, dental clinic and private patient rooms. It offers some of the better quality health services in Samoa. Medcen is the main private healthcare hospital in Samoa and provides a higher standard of patient care compared to the public hospitals, but with higher fees applicable.
The Samoan Health Sector plan for 2008-2018 sets out strategic goals to improve Samoan healthcare. Its mission statement is “A healthy Samoa” to be achieved by improved regulation, quality control, accountability and provision of sustainable health services in Samoa. Targets include strengthening leadership and human resources, improved financing, and building partnership commitments within the healthcare system.
If you are a diver, planning to participate in diving activities in the waters around Samoa you need to be aware that there are no decompression chambers present in the country. Any divers suffering from serious decompression sickness will need to be medically evacuated to either Fuji or New Zealand for treatment. Anyone considering diving in Samoan waters needs to ensure that their travel insurance gives them cover for this activity and they have Samoan international health insurance which includes cover for the use of air ambulance services.
If you are going to Samoa with a pre-existing medical condition – which requires a specialized prescription – you may find it difficult to obtain a refill of the medicine in Samoa as certain medications are in limited supply. It is recommended that you take enough supplies of the required medication for your pre-existing medical condition, to ensure you are covered for the duration of your time in the country.
Diseases such as dengue fever – endemic to Samoa – are spread through mosquito bites; as there is no vaccination to combat this disease, you should take precautionary measures to lower the risk of contracting the illness.
As a foreign national in Samoa, the basic standard of healthcare is adequate, with the capital Apia having the largest hospital and best equipped hospital. However, you need to bear-in-mind the Samoan healthcare system is only adequately equipment to meet basic health services and routine medical treatment. In a case of a medical emergency, or life threatening situation, a patient will need to be air lifted to New Zealand, Australia or Hawaii for medical treatment in a healthcare facility which can provide a patient with more comprehensive medical treatment. Therefore it is important a visitor to Samoa takes out Samoan international medical insurance, including cover for air ambulance services.
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Samoa International Health Insurance |
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If you are looking for peace-of-mind knowing that medical costs will be covered in case of an accident or illness, to yourself and your family, while traveling to or residing in Samoa, international health insurance plan will be the ideal solution. Policies can be tailor-made to ensure all your needs are met while in Samoa. Should you require further information on Samoa and international medical insurance, or to receive a free quotation, please do not hesitate to call one of our expert advisers now. |
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