Samoa Health Ministry says hospital oxygen supply issue resolved
Samoa's main hospital was running low on oxygen supplies earlier this week, which reportedly resulted in the cancellation of surgeries, including those for breast cancer and kidney conditions.
Samoa's main hospital, Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, experienced a critical shortage of oxygen supplies earlier this week, leading to the cancellation of numerous surgeries, including those for breast cancer and kidney conditions. Patients awaiting these crucial procedures were left anxious after being informed by hospital staff of the oxygen shortage just before their operations.
However, the Samoa Health Ministry has now confirmed that the issue has been resolved after additional oxygen supplies arrived from American Samoa via a police patrol vessel on Wednesday night. A ministry spokesperson expressed reassurance to the public, stating that there is now an adequate supply of oxygen at the hospital, and there is no cause for concern among Samoans undergoing surgery.
The hospital had noted experiencing insufficient oxygen supplies, but the Ministry's intervention has now ensured that operations can resume as planned. One affected patient, Eseta Faalogo, expressed her frustration, highlighting the need for timely information during such critical situations.
Written by urgent.news from RNZ Pacific's reporting — not their text. Machine-written — may contain errors; check the original before relying on it.
