On Monday 1st March 2020, Aiono Professor Alec Ekeroma, Vice Chancellor,
National University of Samoa (NUS) and Dr Rasul Baghirov, WHO
Representative, Samoa signed a Memorandum of Understanding that will
inject WST$123,000 into the development of online postgraduate degrees in
Master of Public Health and Primary Health Care. These degrees are deemed
important for capacity building of the health workforce in Samoa, and by
extension the Pacific.
Degrees in both Public Health and Primary Health Care will be essential for
health care providers working in the District Hospitals and in the private
sector. In addition to improving clinicians’ knowledge and skills, they will
support the standardization of care and service delivery in both sectors.
This is an important step to reorient health services as per Samoa’s Health
Sector Plan (HSP) 2019/20-2029/30 and towards achieving Universal
Health Coverage (UHC) for all Samoans. It began with discussions among
the Ministry of Health (MOH) and its stakeholders, and the World Health
Organization (WHO), and facilitated with funds from the Japan UHC.
Pacific Island people suffer from similar diseases and health challenges in
primary health care. This programme will, therefore, strengthen and
enhance the capacity, capability and confidence of young clinicians to
manage the public health and primary health care conditions that are
plaguing Samoans and other Pacific Island countries. These current
problematic conditions include rising levels of non-communicable diseases,
vector and water-borne diseases, low immunization rates, and maternal
health just to name a few.
This programme will also support the young clinicians in other areas where
they have little experience such as in health services and health system
management. Further, they will be able to better tackle the possibility of
wide-spread community transmission of COVID-19 or other health
emergencies should it reach our shores.
“The programme and benefits align well with WHO’s mandate of Universal
Health Coverage and the Sustainable Development Goals to reach all
communities and ensure that no one is left behind.” says Dr Baghirov.

Given the challenges of international travel due to COVID-19, it is timely
and an opportunity to strengthen capacity within countries and develop the
health workforce. Courses will be delivered via Moodle and other online
platforms such as zoom and will promote inclusive access to quality
education and training opportunities for all without having to leave one’s
country. It will also enable sharing of experiences, knowledge and skills
among the different ethnic groups or population of students to encourage
collaboration among Pacific clinicians.
The programmes are currently being developed and will be completed by
October 2021 for delivery in 2022. They comply with the National University
of Samoa standards for courses and delivery; Samoa Medical Council
Medical Practitioners of Samoa Code of Professional Standards 2007; the
Ministry of Health clinical guidelines and protocols; and the Samoa
Qualifications Authority (SQA) standards.