American Samoa's first private, Medicare certified, medical clinic, the Hope Dialysis Center, has opened for consultations this week.
The opening of the Hope Dialysis Center in Vaitogi Photo: RNZ Pacific/ Monica Miller
The renal dialysis clinic is overseen by Jean LeTarte, who has 30 years dialysis treatment experience.
The chief executive, Chris Fisher, who founded Hope said, "Dr LeTarte is supported by a staff of fully licensed medical professionals, 90 percent of whom are American Samoans".
Currently the dialysis treatment facilities at LBJ are unable to accommodate any more patients and the new facility reduces the need for people to seek off-island treatment.