The Minister of Health, Hon. Valasi Luapitofanua Toomaga Tafito Selesele, officially opened the new kitchen facility at Tuasivi Hospital on Monday, 30 September 2024. The facility is designed to prepare meals for patients with a focus on promoting healthier eating.
“This project, the construction of this kitchen facility, is a long-held dream of our government and the Ministry of Health,” said the Minister during the opening ceremony.
“The goal of this kitchen is to ensure that meals are prepared by skilled professionals, including chefs and dieticians, to promote healthy, balanced nutrition for the patients admitted to this hospital.”
The facility will prioritize the preparation of nutritious meals, increasing the use of fruits and vegetables while reducing high-fat, high-sugar, and salty foods, such as fish and chips and other fried options. “We want to reduce meals that are high in fat, sugar, and salt because these contribute to issues like obesity and high blood pressure in our people,” the Minister stated.
Funded by savings from the Ministry’s budget under the Special Purpose Account Fund, the project cost $1.4 million and was completed by SCHWARZ CONSTRUCTION Ltd over seven months.
“With the kitchen in place, there will be significant cost savings for the Ministry,” the Minister explained.
“The hospital staff will now be able to prepare meals in-house, eliminating the need to rely on external food suppliers.”
The facility also incorporates strict hygiene standards, ensuring clean and safe food preparation. “The kitchen will maintain high standards of cleanliness to ensure the safety of our patients,” the Minister added.
The new kitchen marks an important step forward for Tuasivi Hospital, bringing it in line with similar facilities in Upolu. “What is good for Upolu must also be good for Savai’i,” the Minister concluded, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing equal healthcare services across Samoa.
