Samoa's Commission of Inquiry into the proposed merger of the Ministry of Health and the National Health Service has begun hearing submissions.
The ministry's director general of health, Leausa Take Naseri, told the inquiry the merger was in the best interests of public healthcare in Samoa.
Questions were raised as to whether the organisations could work together to improve healthcare.
Apia, Samoa. Photo: Ramunas/123RF
Leausa said the relationship and communication between the two bodies had not been good for a decade .
He said that as a result the Nurses Association president and an overseas medical expert had petitioned the government to merge the institutions.
The commission also heard from the chief executive of the National Health Service, Palanitina Tupuimatagi Toelupe.
Photo: supplied
She called for three management positions to be created at the top of a unified health service.
However, its understood the Nurses Association will oppose this call, preferring one management position in the top level.
Palanitina said the proposed merger had resulted in over twelve senior employees resigning from the National Health Service.