The spirit of Christmas is alive and well at a place where some people might least expect it.

At the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Motootua, staff of the Ministry of Health are taking turns to perform in their version of the popular 13 Days of Christmas, counting down to Friday next week.

The performances are held daily in front of the old outpatient ward. Doctors, nurses, health officials and everyone at the Ministry of Health are involved through singing, dances and Christmas skits.

The President of the Samoa Nurses Association, Solialofi Papalii, said the programme is a wonderful initiative that brings smiles to patients and people at the hospital.

“It’s a nice initiative to boost the spirits of people and spread the Christmas spirit amidst these unprecedented times,” she said.

“Patients can have some time to enjoy as well as nurses and health employees, relieve the minds and sing their hearts out."

The programme is also an opportunity to expose the hidden talents of many health workers, who have starred in singing Christmas numbers.

The different groups are retelling the story of Jesus Christ’s birth in a bid to bring hope and joy to the nation.

The programme started this week, after weeks of practise for the health workers involved.