Since the measles epidemic in Samoa in 2019, Industrial Gases in Tafuna, American Samoa has been supplying oxygen for Samoa’s Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital.
Last Thursday, Samoa commissioned a new oxygen generation plant.
KHJ News reported, that the plant which was funded by New Zealand, at the cost of $1.07 million tala can fill up to 200 oxygen cylinders a day.
Speaking at the commissioning ceremony, Minister of Health Valasi Tafito Selesele said, Samoa has relied on supplies from American Samoa at the height of the measles pandemic and continuing with the coronavirus pandemic.
“As some of you may be aware, since 2019 the Ministry of Health has had to [resort to] the transporting of oxygen cylinders in part to Pago Pago via sea freight for refilling there, due to our greatly reduced capacity,” he said.
New Zealand High Commissioner to Samoa, Dr. Trevor Matheson said his country has contributed $NZ665,000.00 ($1.07 million talā) to the procurement, installation, and commissioning of the plant including maintenance and training.
He emphasized that the project was a team effort and a reflection of the strong partnership between Samoa and New Zealand.
