More than 40 local nurses and doctors have completed a four month online course on COVID-19 preparedness offered by the Massey University in New Zealand.

Ministry of Health (MOH) staff who completed the online training were presented with certificates on Wednesday at Moto’otua within the vicinity of the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital.

Despite Samoa being one of few countries in the world to remain COVID-19 free, the M.O.H. staff remain alert.

Speaking to the Samoa Observer, nurse Feiloaiga Aliitaeao Taulealea said it is always better to be prepared and receiving a certificate of participation after completing the online training prepares them to serve the country.

“Although our country is fortunately still free of the virus that’s wreaking havoc to other countries, I believe that it’s better to stay prepared just in case the virus suddenly comes to us and with that, we are the frontliners when that happens,” she said in an interview.

“It’s not about the piece of paper but the life of us which we give to serve our country.

“To me, this certificate is an excitement because they’re one of those golden experiences which we rarely get so I thank God for continuing to be with me as I took on this challenging course.”

The training focused on airway management, mechanical ventilation mode, mechanical ventilation troubleshooting, haemodynamic monitoring, patient assessment and care of intubated patients.

The health workers also took the weekends to conduct their practical sessions and training. Attempts by the Samoa Observer to get a comment from the M.O.H. Director General, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, were unsuccessful.

Many local residents took to social media to congratulate and welcome the new initiative which will provide Samoa with a safer health service especially at the height of the global pandemic globally.