Medical Association expresses concern

15 July 2018, 12:00AM

The Samoa Medical Association (S.M.A.) has expressed its grave concern with regards to the deaths of two babies in Savai’i who died after they were administered M.M.R. vaccination.

In a statement issued yesterday, S.M.A. President Dr. Tanyamarie Petaia, said S.M.A. extends its most sincere condolences to the parents, families and all the loved ones associated with this tragedy. 

“S.M.A. fully supports the immediate national concerted action plans and strategies as put forward by our Government through our Honourable Prime Minister and Director General of Health on behalf of the Minister of Health and the Health Sector,” the statement reads.

“S.M.A. acknowledges with much gratitude the invaluable and prompt technical expert assistance response of health related UN Agency development partners and bilateral country partners namely: World Health Organisation (WHO), United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), New Zealand, Australia and others.”

While S.M.A. wholeheartedly supports the “timely response by the National Health Services (N.H.S.) and Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) on behalf of the Health Sector; we strongly believe that we as health care providers in Samoa have an astronomical task ahead of us in regaining our people’s confidence in the safety of our health service practice and n particular the continuation of the Expanded Programme of Immunisation (E.P.I.) in the future.in Samoa. 

“S.M.A. unites with all Samoa health care professionals and providers in expressing our sincere apologies for inadvertently causing pain and sadness to the families of the two deceased infants with subsequent panic and uncertainties throughout Samoa, as well as our neighbouring Pacific Island Countries.

“We pray that God’s Grace and Love will help restore the trust and confidence of our Samoan people in us.”

15 July 2018, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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