An Auckland family is demanding answers after complaining to the Ministry of Health about the treatment received by their late mother, Sosefina Aloese.

The deceased was in Samoa for a family reunion. She had a seizure at the Orator Hotel when an ambulance was called.

Her daughter, Grace Aloese, vented her frustrations on social media alleging that two firefighters turned up at the scene but did not know how to perform a resuscitation or where to place a defibrillator.

Ms. Aloese claimed that, upon arrival at the emergency area, they discovered nothing had been prepared for her arrival and they were not met with any sense of urgency.

"One person that was wearing gloves was on her phone the rest [of the time], didn't bother but stood around and did nothing," she said.

"They looked at us and said my mother had gone ages [ago]."

Ms. Aloese said they had hoped to receive confirmation that they were trying to save her mother, but instead were told to leave the room by security guards.

"Even at that moment they told us to take our mother to the funeral home to do the prayer," she said.

Comments were sought on Monday from the Director General of the Ministry of Health, Leausa Take Naser. By press time he had not replied. 

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, the young woman said by telling her mother's story she hoped to provide solace to anyone who had undergone a similar experience at Motootua Hospital.

She said that the Aloese family is yet to receive a response from the Ministry of Health regarding their complaint.

"I wish nothing but the best for our people, and for me to open up about what we went through there, is something to really address and raise awareness on," she said.

"Life is important and people should be treated with fairness and proper care. Families should not be afraid to speak up about this. 

"They have the freedom to do so and the Ministry of Health shouldn’t be angry at people’s complaints and do something about their services and malpractices of some of their staff."

Ms. Aloese's story online has inspired others to claim they had suffered similar treatment after seeking emergency help.