The only dialysis facility in American Samoa says it will not be able to cater for patients from off island during the Christmas holiday break.
The Dialysis Unit at the LBJ Medical Center says due to an increase in local dialysis patients it is not in a position to take any more patients including those coming from overseas to visit their families.
The Dialysis Unit leader, Olita Tafiti, has told Samoa News that at the beginning of 2015 they had 120 patients, but the November figure is up to 157.
She says there is no more capacity with the 16 dialysis chairs in constant use.
Ms Tafiti says the unit has an additional 32 chairs in place but it needs an assurance from the US Center for Medicaid Services that it will provide the necessary funding before these can be used..
LBJ hospital, American Samoa Photo: RNZI