Samoa’s public spending on health was 6.3 per cent of GDP in 2011, equivalent to US$248 per capita. In the most recent survey, conducted between 1997 and 2010, there were 48 doctors, and 185 nurses and midwives per 100,000 people.
Additionally, in the period 2007-12, 81 per cent of births were attended by qualified health staff and in 2012, 85 per cent of oneyear olds were immunised with one dose of measles. In 2010, 98 per cent of people had access to adequate sanitation facilities and 92 per cent had access to an improved source of water.
Samoa’s national hospital, the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, is located at Motootua, in Apia, and supported by district hospitals and health centres. Samoan tertiary care is limited and mainly provided through arrangement with New Zealand’s health care system.
All foreign nationals are required to pay for health services in Samoa, and Samoan health care facilities and doctors normally expect cash payment before carrying out any treatment. The private health care sector has expanded in recent years, but is mostly confined to Apia and consists of small hospitals and clinics able to offer only a limited range of medical services.
Samoa imports almost all of its pharmaceutical requirements. The country has no independent drug regulatory authority. Global pharmaceutical organisations have interests in the anti-HIV drug Prostialin, which originated from the Samoan rainforest – and some have, in turn, donated revenues to the local people.
The country’s mental health policy and act have existed in their current form since 2006 and 2007 respectively. There are 0.6 outpatient mental health facilities per 100,000 people (2011).
