Va’a o Fonoti is the third district in Samoa to have benefitted from the District Lead Intervention Programme last week.

The programme addresses issues such as sexual reproductive health, maternal health, sexually transmitted infections, birth spacing, gender based violence and non-communicable diseases (obesity, cancer and hypertension). 

As a response to healthy living, the district held two sports activities with their jingle marking the finale of their programme. 

The Samoa Family Health Association held a seminar relative to sexual reproductive health in regards to sexually transmitted infections and the data relevant to Samoa’s current situation. 

Samoa Cancer Society particularly focused on the common types of cancer found in men and women in Samoa as an aspect of non-communicable diseases. 

The Ministry of Women Community and Social development focused their seminar and presentation on ending violence in families and response systems. 

 “It is very important that the village and district leaders, both men and women and people living with disability, and youth are all involved in the planning to improve their own villages,” said Afamasaga Faauiga Mulitalo, C.E.O. of Ministry of Women, Community and Social Development. 

“Each District Committee responding to their own priorities is the key to improving the lives of families who most need it.”

The National Kidney Foundation, Samoa Red Cross and Ministry of Police also delivered awareness sessions and conducted clinical health screenings.

U.N.F.P.A. is a key supporter of this district led initiative. 

As the target population is young people (youth) ages 15 to 35 years, the district development committee are tasked with leading the programme and mobilizing the youth address these issues, but the whole district is still invited to participate. 

The next two districts in Savai’i are Gagaifomauga II and III.