By Tupuola Terry Tavita

Government on Friday took delivery of a new hospital upland at Vaipouli.

Named Muaautasi o Puleono Hospital, the new facility will service some 6000 residents from Samalaeulu to Manase.

Delivering the keynote address, Acting Prime Minister Fonotoe Pierre Lauofo said the new location – away from the sea – is ideal with the continuing impacts of a rapidly changing climate.

“The land on which the hospital was situated (at Fagamalo) had diminished in area over the years through severe erosion and flooding,�? he said.

“The decision to also relocate the hospital here is also in-line with government policy to build expensive government assets on higher grounds away from coastal areas to minimize damage from natural disasters, sea-level rising and sea spray.�?

Apart from the hospital, the Vaipouli property – which used to be home to Vaipouli College – will also house a Red Cross branch, a fire station, a forestry outpost and other public offices.

At a cost of $508,000, the project was offset by a contribution of $298,000 from the Japanese government, through its Grant Assistance for Grass-roots Human Security Project programme.

Said Ambassador Shibuta; “The successful completion of this project enhances the quality of medical services for residents of Vaipouli village and the surrounding community by delivering an improved quality of medical services from a safer and more disaster resilient location at a new inland site rather than the old exposed coastal one.�?

The district also took out a loan of $226,000 from the Development Bank of Samoa (DBS) as their contribution to the project. The People’s Republic of China put in another $50,000.

The two-storey facility was built by Maota Builders.

It houses six wards, an outpatient unit, a conference room, a dispensary and a maternity ward.

GAUTAIVAI

Later the same day, Government also took delivery of a new school at Gautaivai.

Built by the Chinese government at a cost of $7 million, the project was contracted to Shanghai Construction for $7 million tala.

Education minister Magele Mauiliu Magele challenged the students and staff to make full use of the new facility.

“Last year, a student from a neighboring school in this area topped the Year Eight national exams,�? he said.

“The big challenge for you this year is to better that. I want to see a student from this school come first this year. Then we will know this wonderful new school you have now is justified. That is the big challenge for you staff and students.�?

Acting PM Fonotoe emphasised that the continuing school building programme – which has seen numerous schools being built or refurnished in the districts – underscores government’s commitment to lift education across the country.

Hethanked the Chinese government for its continuing assistance in school development.

The new school includes ten classrooms, a school hall, a computer lab and facilities for teachers and administration.

With only 82 students, Gautaivai Primary School has ten teachers – one of the lowest teacher-student ratios in the country.

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