The Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) is considering installing more surveillance cameras at the national hospital to address the growing number of theft cases that target patients' caregivers.

A number of caregivers, who accompanied their family members who were admitted to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital at Motootua, have raised their concerns after falling victim to thieves late at night. 

Health Director General, Aiono Dr. Alec Ekeroma told Samoa Observer on Monday that security has always been an issue at the national hospital after he was asked to comment on the caregivers' concerns. 

"Yes, security is always an issue. Not only do people steal things but we suspect the staff, we suspect those who visit and also do damage," said Aiono. There's a lot of damage to property at the hospital, especially in the outpatients.

"That's why we also say we only have one caregiver with a patient because the more of them, the more properties get damaged. We've got CCTV there but I'm not sure exactly where they monitor so I will be asking that question when I get back.

"Some of the CCTV cameras are not working so definitely that will be a way to try to stem the tide of damage and stealing. Also, the other thing is the security staff. 

"We do have security staff but I'm suspecting that that's probably not enough to curtail this stealing but it's something that we need to look at more cameras perhaps."

Last week two caregivers – who were looking after their family members at the hospital's Intensive Care Unit – had their items stolen. One lost a smartphone and a backpack while the other also lost a smartphone and a charger.

Kolose Falaniko, who lost his bag and smartphone, told this newspaper that he checked the CCTV footage but the location of the cameras wasn't helpful as the only one next to the ICU was at the elevator outside emergency.

The other concern he raised was the lack of a waiting area for caregivers who accompanied patients in emergency, who either slept in the hallway next to the hospital elevator or outside in their vehicles.

"Mind you, these are critically ill patients and we need to be close by but I witnessed that I had to sleep with a bunch of strangers outside in the hallway and as a matter of fact, that's where I slept the night I lost my phone and bag," said Mr. Falaniko. "It was charging where I was sleeping and my bag was next to me and when I woke up after a few hours, I lost it and couldn't find it anymore."