The Government of New Zealand has offered SAT$5 million to refurbish the nurses’ hall located within the Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital compound at Motootua. The hall will provide accommodation for nurses working at the hospital.

This was disclosed by the Minister of Health, Valasi Tafito Selesele, during a parliamentary meeting stating that this would give nurses much more recognition.

During the measles outbreak in 2019, the nurses' hall was converted into a temporary ward to accommodate the increasing number of measles patients and the paucity of space at the national hospital.

The hall has been closed ever since due to its poor condition, making it unsafe for use. 

Norris Latu Asi, a registered nurse of over seven years said the hall carried a wealth of historical significance saying it had been a home for nurses from across the nation.

“From early 2013, I started using this building where most nurses gather for annual events, prestigious graduation ceremonies, and the school of nursing festivities.

This hall has been the home of nurses from different corners of the country. 

“In the midst of 2017, we celebrated the 100th anniversary of the SNA and its vision to create better nurses for the future of nursing. I was fortunate enough to be part of this esteemed celebration, and the experience was unforgettable. 

“The history of nursing lies within this hall, making it a historical landmark for nurses in the past and present. 

Ms Asi further stated that renovating the nurse’s hall would bring growth and great advancements in nursing in the future.

“This would allow a fresh perspective for nursing and it would be greatly beneficial, not only as a new home for nursing annual celebrations, but also mark an opportunity for growth and development of its members in the future.

“Renovating this building preserves its history while injecting its new life into its structure," she added.

Manager for the Health Specialist Centre and a registered nurse by profession, Kamilo Tuifua, shared similar sentiments on how significant the hall is to all nurses and said that it would be a tangible way to blend the past with the present, honouring architectural heritage while adapting to contemporary needs.

“ I would seek all grants and funds to help with the renovation of our nursing home. When we were students and started our career as nurses, the hall has been a place where we all go for studies and training and we call it our safe zone where we get to meet and share our knowledge with senior nurses,” he said.

“There's saying in Samoa " o le matou faasinamoaga." This is our foundation. Renewing this hall will be beneficial for our future nurses- this will allow them to belong, feel free, and be themselves, especially in the capacity building, we can also get a chance in the future to share our knowledge, skills, and experiences with our younger nurses.