The Samoa health system is about to get an injection of doctors from China to help alleviate the shortage in medical personnel.
An agreement was signed last week between the Chinese government and the Samoa Ministry of Health.
The Samoa Observer reports that the Chinese Medical Team (C.M.T.) Agreement will see Chinese doctors brought in to work where needed.
Photo: supplied
The Minister of Health Tuitama Dr Talalelei Tuitama said it was a significant contribution provided by the Chinese Government to complement the efforts by Samoa to address the shortage of medical doctors in a number of specialised areas, capacity building and to equip hospitals for service delivery.
China's Ambassador to Samoa Wang Xuefeng said there would be four medical teams sent from Jilin Province in Northern China, over a two year period with six medical personnel in each team.
Wang Xuefeng said there was a long history of medical cooperation between China and Samoa which has achieved fruitful results over the years.
Chinese Ambassador in Samoa Wang Xuefeng and PM Tuila'epa Sa'ilele Malielegaoi at the presentation of 20 brand new Sedan vehicles for the Pacific Island Forum meeting to be hedl in Samoa next week. Photo: Tipi Autagavaia
He said since the 1980s about 100 medical professionals have travelled from China to work in various hospitals in Samoa.