Dear Editor

This letter serves as an official response from the Ministry of Health to clarify and correct the report published in the Samoa Observer dated Thursday, 21 August 2025, under the title "Dr. Kamu told to step down".

We wish to confirm that Papalii Ulugia Dr. Tito Kamu has not been instructed to step down from his substantive position as Consultant Paediatrician. Dr. Kamu continues to serve the Ministry of Health in his capacity as a Senior Medical Consultant within the Clinical and Hospital Services.

To provide clarity:

• Dr. Kamu has been serving as Acting Deputy Director General (DDG) for Hospital & Clinical Services since May this year, in line with the Ministry's normal practice of rotational acting appointments across all ACEO levels.
• These acting roles are managed and advised by the Ministry of Health, endorsed by the Public Service Commission (PSC), and conveyed formally through PSC official letters.
• As part of this rotation, Dr. Kamu was appointed Acting DDG from 26 May 29 June 2025, and again from 28 July-8 August 2025, following PSC conveyance.
• For the period 12-24 August 2025, another ACEO was scheduled to assume acting duties for the same Deputy Director General Hospital & Clinical Services position. However, due to unforeseen circumstances and leave, Dr. Kamu was advised to continue temporarily until Friday, 22 August 2025, when the next scheduled appointee could take over since the ACEO that was to take over from Dr Kamu wasn't available for the current period as approved by PSC.

It is important to note that no directive or letter has been issued instructing Dr. Kamu to step down from his substantive role, nor has he been removed from any position within the Ministry. His acting appointments, like those of other ACEOS, are part of the regular PSC-approved rotation process.

The Ministry regrets any misunderstanding that may have arisen from the publication of this story, both among the public and within the health sector. We respectfully request that this correction be acknowledged to ensure accuracy. The Ministry further reiterates its strong advice that all future news or articles concerning the Ministry be verified through the Office of the Director General prior to publication.

We extend our appreciation to the Samoa Observer for its role in informing the public and respectfully ask that future reporting on such matters be verified with the Ministry before publication.

Fa'afetai tele lava,

Sincerely

Auliaimalae Tagaloa Dr. Robert Thomsen

Acting Director General of Health

Editor’s note: The article was based on a recorded interview with Dr Kamu, and a response from the caretaker Minister for Health was also part of the article. The article presents no inaccuracies as claimed by the Ministry of Health. The article never mentioned that Dr Kamu was instructed to step down from his substantive position as Consultant Paediatrician but as Acting Deputy Director General (DDG) for Hospital & Clinical Services as confirmed by Dr Kamu.