When the Savaii community visit any of the district hospitals on the big island today,
they may notice a new feature display added to the outpatient waiting area. A sign
atop the display in Samoan beckons ‘Faamatalaga e uiga I le gasegase o le kanesa
& soifua maloloina i Samoa’. Translated to ‘Cancer & Health Information Corner’, the
pilot project—that has seen for the first time the availability of cancer related and
health brochures, booklets and flyers out in the community—is an initiative of the
Samoa Cancer Society (SCS).
The ‘Cancer & Health Information Corner’ project aims to strengthen the knowledge
base within village communities by way of improving the visibility, availability and
sustainability of information provision in the heart of communities to further engage
them with cancer awareness programs.
SCS CEO, Su’a John Ryan says, “we continue to seek innovative ways to enhance
existing awareness programs and dissemination of information to tackle the lack of
information access throughout Samoa especially for people living in rural areas who
are most at risk or who may not have sought information about cancer otherwise”.
A letter of partnership support from Director General of Ministry of Health Leausa Dr
Take Naseri encouraged the SCS to submit this pilot project proposal for funding
with the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), a small grants
program designed to support local community groups and organizations. A fund total
of $10,000 was approved in July 2020 to assist the SCS with implementing this
project. However due to COVID-19 State of Emergency restrictions and severe
weather conditions towards the end 2020, SCS was only just able to successfully
complete the installation of these centers early this month.
The Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Sara Moriarty applauded the
efforts of the SCS supported through Australia’s DAP, saying: “the initiative is a
collaborative effort that complements the sustainable development goals of ‘good
health and well-being’ of the people of Samoa. I applaud SCS on taking proactive
approaches towards preventative care in the community by encouraging the sharing
of information resulting in more health conscious villages.”
Media Release Template MRT01
The Cancer & Health Information Conors have been set up in Fualalo, Sataua,
Safotu and Tuasivi district hospitals. The Samoa Cancer Society has also managed
to set up similar centres in the Lufilufi and Leulumoega District Hospitals and hopes
to expand the project to all district hospitals in Upolu as funds become available.
– ENDS –
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For Further Media Information Contact:
Su’a John Ryan, SCS Chief Executive Officer
Email: ceo@samoacancer.ws
Ph: 29813
Seiuli Verona Parker, SCS Fundraising & Marketing Manager
Email: FMM@samoacancer.ws
Ph: 23984
