Emergency Medicine in Samoa

10/02/2026

Today’s Grand Round focused on Septic Shock, a common and critical emergency and one of the top three causes of mortality we see.

The session was presented by RN Junior Faga, highlighting early recognition, rapid escalation, and timely treatment, all of which save lives.

Public health tip:
If you or a loved one has an infection and develops high fever or very low temperature, fast breathing, confusion, extreme weakness, or reduced urine, seek urgent medical care immediately.
Early treatment can make the difference.
Education, awareness, and quick action matter in hospital and in the community.

08/02/2026

Sim Day is back.

We kicked off our simulation program for the year with a CPR refresher session for our new staff, with medical students also joining in.

A great hands-on session focused on core resuscitation skills, teamwork, and confidence at the bedside.

Well led by Dr Nolan Fuamatu and RN Waiketi Ieremia.
Strong start to the year - building safe, prepared teams from day one.

04/02/2026

Partnership Announcement | PISEC 2026 🇼🇸

We are proud to announce Fujifilm Sonosite South Austral Pty Ltd as a Platinum Partner for the upcoming Pacific Islands Society for Emergency Care (PISEC) Conference & Expo, to be hosted on the 10th - 14th of August in Samoa

Through this partnership, Fujifilm will also be supporting the conference by providing equipment for our training sessions and workshops, strengthening hands-on learning and practical skills development for emergency care clinicians across the Pacific.

In addition, South Austral Pty Ltd will also be one of our official exhibition vendors, showcasing solutions and technologies relevant to emergency and critical care within the Pacific context.

This collaboration reflects a shared commitment to advancing emergency medicine, education, and innovation in our region. We are grateful for the trust, support, and willingness to invest in Pacific-led solutions.

We look forward to working closely together as we prepare for PISEC 2026 and will continue to share updates as planning progresses.

Fa’afetai tele lava to South Austral Pty Ltd and Fujifilm for standing with Pacific emergency care

02/02/2026

Grand Round Today | Nursing-Led Education

Today’s Grand Round focused on Acute Coronary Syndrome, presented by one of our up-and-coming Registered Nurses, Pesi Solipo.

Over the next few weeks, our teaching sessions will be led by our nurses, recognising the depth of clinical knowledge, experience, and leadership within our nursing workforce. This initiative is about empowering nurses to step forward as educators, leaders, and drivers of quality improvement in emergency care.

By creating opportunities to lead teaching, we continue to strengthen confidence, professional growth, and collaborative practice across our department, ultimately improving care for our patients and community.

Well done to Pesi and to our nursing team for leading the way.

29/01/2026

Yesterday, our Head of Department, Pauli Dr Pai Enosa, Principal Nurse Anevili Maiava, Nurse in Charge Belinda Tolai and members of the leadership team met with our CEO June Lui Scanlan to discuss two important national initiatives.

The meeting focused on preparations for the Pacific Island Society for Emergency Care (PISEC) Conference and Expo, to be hosted in Samoa this August, as well as the development of Samoa’s first National Emergency Referral Pathway.

These discussions reflect a shared commitment to strengthening emergency care systems, improving coordination across services, and ensuring timely, safe, and equitable care for our communities.

Hosting PISEC in Samoa is a significant opportunity to bring Pacific leaders together, share solutions tailored to island contexts, and showcase the progress being made locally.

We are grateful for the continued leadership support and collaboration as we move these important pieces of work forward.

26/01/2026

Grand Rounds & Simulation 2026: We’re Back

Today, we officially kicked off our Grand Rounds and Simulation sessions for 2026. We began with a Lotu and words of encouragement from our Head of Department, Pauli Dr Pai Enosa, setting the tone for the year ahead.

This was also an opportunity to sincerely thank our staff who worked through the holiday period, your commitment and professionalism did not go unnoticed. As we step into a new year, we do so with shared purpose and a continued focus on learning and excellence in patient care.

We were also pleased to welcome our new team members to the department. We look forward to growing, learning, and working together as one team in 2026.

Here’s to another year of collaboration, training, and service to our community.

04/01/2026

🚨🚨URGENT: A single donation can save multiple lives.

Please share this message widely to help us reach more donors.

Thank you for standing with our patients and frontline teams.

01/01/2026

Samoa is proud to host the 2nd Pacific Islands Society for Emergency Care (PISEC) Conference and Expo in 2026.

This major regional event will bring together leaders in emergency care from across the Pacific to collaborate, share experience, and develop practical, Pacific-focused solutions to strengthen emergency care systems.

PISEC 2026 will feature:
✅️Pre-conference workshops focused on skills development, systems strengthening, and capacity building
✅️A two-day main conference with regional and international speakers
✅️A bilateral exhibition running alongside the conference, showcasing innovations, partnerships, equipment, and solutions relevant to emergency and acute care in the Pacific

This conference represents a significant opportunity for Samoa and the wider Pacific to lead conversations that matter, ensuring emergency care systems are resilient, context-appropriate, and future-ready.

📅 Dates: 11–14 August 2026
📌 Mark your calendars.
Further details and registration information to follow. Sponsorship and exhibition details will be released soon.

31/12/2025

A huge thank you to the management and staff of JADS Samoa for the thoughtful New Year treats for our team. Your generosity truly means a lot and brought smiles and joy to our staff on shift.

We are grateful for the continued support from our community partners who stand behind our frontline teams.

Wishing everyone a blessed, safe, and happy New Year. May 2026 be filled with good health, kindness, and success for all.

29/12/2025

Health Advisory for Travellers from Sydney

There is a Legionnaires’ disease outbreak linked to Sydney CBD (Wynyard/Clarence Street), with multiple confirmed cases.

If you have recently travelled from Sydney, especially the CBD area in mid-December, please monitor for symptoms over the next 2–10 days, including:
Fever or chills
Cough or shortness of breath
Muscle aches, fatigue, headache

Legionnaires’ disease is a serious form of pneumonia caused by contaminated water systems (e.g. cooling towers). It does not spread person-to-person.

If symptoms develop, seek medical care early and inform your doctor of your recent travel to Sydney.
Stay informed. Stay safe.

People should seek medical advice if they believe they may have been exposed. 📌 MORE: tinyurl.com/5dnxnr3f

29/12/2025

😅

Where did that S come from anyway? We’ll probably never know. But we can easily know our cholesterol numbers. It just takes a simple blood test. Check in with your doctor about your numbers.

24/12/2025

As Christmas draws closer, we extend our warmest wishes to our community and families across Samoa and the Pacific.

May this time be filled with peace, joy, and meaningful moments with loved ones.

As you celebrate, we kindly remind everyone to take care, drive safely, look after one another, stay hydrated in the heat, and seek help early if someone is unwell. Your safety and wellbeing remain our priority.

Thank you for the trust you place in us throughout the year. We are here for you, 24/7.

Wishing you a safe, joyful, and blessed Christmas from your Emergency Department.

PC Samoa Observer