The British High Commission, Apia recently funded a three-day Training of Carers in Savaii this week,
facilitated by the School of Nursing at the National University of Samoa.
The program ran from 27 – 29 October 2020 in Asau, Safotu and Iva, Savaii. Each training had
between 12 to 23 participants from the community who look after the elderly and persons with
physical disabilities who require long term care within the home and also community nurses. The
training was facilitated and provided by lecturers from the School of Nursing.
The training focused on first aid, safe lifting and movement, hygiene and general care and aims to
provide practical skill development for home based carers. The workshop includes both verbal
presentations and practical activities for participants.
“Carers play an essential role in the care of our elder population and persons with disabilities in
Samoa. A significant amount of long-term care for persons with complex support needs is delivered
within the home.” said Ramona Boodoosingh, Project Coordinator and Faculty Member at the
National University of Samoa. “The School of Nursing is grateful to the British High Commission for
supporting us to deliver a community capacity development opportunity for our rural carers to give
them a basic guide to assist in their carer responsibilities and improve the quality of life for persons
who require long term home based care.”
Each training included a presentation from Nuanua O Le Alofa on providing rights-based care for
persons with disabilities and ensuring the provision of accessible and inclusive communication
methods to address the diverse accessibility needs of persons with disabilities.
“It has been a wonderful opportunity to connect with carers of persons with disabilities in Savaii and
support the provision of rights-based care for our persons with disabilities who have complex
support needs.” said Mata’afa Fa’atino Utumapu, the General Manager for Nuanua O Le Alofa.
As Samoa continues its preparedness and preventions efforts against the global pandemic COVID-19,
this program seeks to support the provision of quality community-based care that assists in
preventing long-term chronic health conditions from developing into serious complications that
require hospitalization.
British High Commissioner, David Ward, said “I am delighted that in this difficult time of COVID-19,
the British High Commission has been able to make a small contribution to Samoa’s public health
capability through this training of carers, which I hope will make a lasting difference.”
The three Savaii trainings are a part of a larger effort led by the School of Nursing to build the
capacity, confidence and ability of home based carers to provide essential support for persons living
with complex mobility and self-care support needs.