The American Samoa Governor Lolo Moliga has undergone a heart operation in a US hospital.
The information about the governor's health was revealed by Senator Tuaolo Manaia Fruean who had spent last week with Lolo in a Seattle hospital.
Tuaolo told KHJ News that the heart surgery last Wednesday was successful however the governor later developed problems breathing and another procedure was performed .
Photo: RNZI / Monica Miller
Tuaolo says when he left the governor this week Lolo had not woken up, but he says doctors had heavily sedated him and there was nothing to be concerned about.
The governor left the territory in early February and was supposed to attend key meetings in Washington D.C. however he never made it there.
After a few weeks in Honolulu he flew to Seattle where he has remained.
In 2014 the governor also had a heart operation and had to remain out of the territory for more than six months.