An early Christmas has come to the Dental Clinic serving the people on the big island of Savai’i at the Malietoa Tanumafili II Hospital at Tuasivi. The Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints has provided the clinic with much needed equipment upgrading proper tools for treating dental problems.
In a small ceremony that was held at the Dental Clinic facility on Friday last week, Minister of Health Valasi Luapitofanua To’ogamaga Tafito Selesele acknowledged the presence of Reverend Elder Fiafia Toleafoa, Dr. Ray Lunt, Director, Pesega Dental Clinic for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, Dr. Brad Smith, Pacific Area Dental Specialist, Regional Coordinator for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and former Dean, Midwestern University College of Dental Medicine, Arizona USA, who donated the clinic with the equipment.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is no stranger to the Ministry of Health and the people of Samoa said the Minister with regular and ongoing assistance of wheelchairs, medical supplies and much more. “The donation we are receiving today is a continuation of the great work by the church to assist our government and people.”
Equipment included 2 brand new fully functional dental chairs, drills and suction, a new compressor and vacuum system, a portable x-ray unit and digital sensors with laptop and a handheld x-ray unit as well as a curing light.
“I am told that the whole gift of the church included procurement of the equipment in New Zealand, freight from NZ & all the way to Tuasivi, customs duties as well as installation costs here at MTII. The total cost came to about 140 thousand tala.”
Valasi reiterated the importance of adequate dental care and these new equipment will allow the dental team in Savaii to improve dental services catered to the people of Tuasivi and all the communities in Savai’i.
The minister also expressed the Government of Samoa and the people of Savai’i who will be benefitting directly from this assistance’ sincere appreciation and gratitude to the donors for their kind and invaluable donation. “Our prayer is for God Almighty to continue to bless the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints for their contribution to Samoa and humanity in general.”
The Minister concluded his by encouraging the staff and communities to utilise the equipment responsibly and ‘to actively participate in their maintenance’. “It is your equipment and the better we look after them, the longer they will serve us all.”
Rev Elder Fiafia Toleafoa of the Congregational Christian Church of Samoa at Siufaga officially cut the ribbon declaring the equipment ready for use.
