The long-awaited new Computer Tomography (CT) Scan for the National Hospital is “partly operational”.
However, it should be in full operational once the Ministry of Health ties up some loose ends. This is according to Savali, the Government-owned newspaper. “Patients on the waiting list and emergency cases are on the priority list with an official handing over ceremony by the Accident Compensation Corporation which funded the US1.5 million scan to the Health Ministry expected to take place before the end of the month.
Samoa has been without a CT scanner for close to two years and patients have been transferred to either New Zealand or American Samoa for scans.”
In March, Minister of Health Valasi Tafito Selesele told Radio Polynesia the computerized tomography or CT scan arrived in the Country, but the hospital was waiting for “special technicians” from overseas to arrive in the Country; to assemble and install the machine before it can be used at that time.
In the meantime, it is unclear as to the status of the Cabinet’s ordered Public Service Commission investigation into the Ministry of Health in the “delay of the procurement of the [$3.7 million tala computerized tomography] scanner” as efforts to get comments from the Public Service Commissioner, Lauano Vaosa Epa were unsuccessful.
In April, Lauano confirmed the investigation in response to questions from Radio Polynesia.
The Taupua Tamasese Meaole hospital’s CT scanner was out of commission since last year and the previous administration approved the purchase of the scanner.
“Upon receiving directives from the Cabinet, I can confirm that PSC is currently conducting an investigation into the delay of the procurement of the Scanner,” said Lauano.
“The investigation is ongoing though it is presently delayed due to the current situation of the COVID 19 and the need for Ministry of Health to re-assign and commit most of their available staff to assist as and where necessary.”
