Samoa’s Director-General of Health, Aiono Dr Alec Ekeroma, has asked all delegates attending the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting (CHOGM) next month to bring their own medications and medical equipment if they have special health needs.
The meeting will bring over 3000 delegates to Samoa.
Dr. Ekeroma told TV1 Samoa that this request is to help reduce costs, especially for special medicines and medical machines.
“We hope delegates can help by bringing their own supplies, which will save us money,” he said.
The Ministry of Health has already spent over $400,000 tālā (around US$148,000) on medicine to prepare for CHOGM.
In the past, delegates from high-risk countries were advised to get vaccinated for mpox (formerly known as monkeypox).
The Samoa Observer reported that paramedics from New Zealand will assist local medical teams during the event. Six ambulances from St. John’s Brigade New Zealand will be on standby at different venues and accommodation sites.
Tanuvasa Petone Mauga, co-chair of the Health and Emergency Sub-Committee, said there are enough ambulances to cover all the locations, while still being available to respond to the public if needed.
He explained that each of the 14 venues and accommodations will have an ambulance, a clinic, and medical staff as required by the Commonwealth.
“We have 16 ambulances, 14 will be at the venues, and one will be with the motorcade. We are ready with enough vehicles and resources,” he said.
Additionally, doctors and medical personnel from the United States Army Reserves will assist local teams in clinics and hospitals.
