By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Work has begun on the long-awaited medical center at Faleolo, opposite the international airport.

Breaking ground on Monday afternoon, Prime Minister Tuilaepa Sailele Malielegaoi said the center will service up to 40,000 people in the A’ana district to Falelatai.

“This medical centre will bring healthcare closer to the people. It is one thing to have healthcare in a country, but without easy access and affordability to its people, there can be no improvement to health.”

For instance, he said, expectant mothers will no longer have to go to Apia to access antennal care and ensure safe delivery.

“Neither will young children have to be taken far to access free immunization services that will protect them from diseases such as measles, polio and hepatitis.”

The location of the center, he added, is also geographical and service-purposely strategic.

“The location of this Medical Centre by the Faleolo International Airport, the main gateway into our country, is by no means accidental.

“Apart from serving the immediate population of these districts, the location is strategic and critical also in the sense we are better able to provide immediate medical assistance to the multitude of travellers and the general public who utilize the Airport.

“It will also provide convenient health services to our overseas visitors accommodated at the various tourist facilities around this area. The Mulifanua wharf hosts hundreds of travellers daily and therefore another source of potential clients for this centre.”

Construction of the Faleolo Medical Center will be funded under a bilateral agreement with the United States government at an estimated cost of WST$2.5 million. It is expected to take up to 12 months to build.

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