More than 900 Samoans were screened for diabetes thanks to the 32 volunteers from the Healthy Samoa Medical Mission who spent two weeks in Savaii and Upolu.

The group from Utah, USA, provide free diabetes screenings and education to make lives better.

The group arrived in Samoa in May and began their work at Tuasivi Hospital. They have visited different schools offering free checks for blood pressure, height, weight, and diabetes testing. 

The Healthy Samoa Medical Mission comes to Samoa every year for two weeks. Their goal is to provide diabetes screenings and teach people about the disease. They also check for other health issues like high blood pressure.

Samoa is the only country that receives these free services from the group. The team has been visiting since 2017 and only paused their trips during the COVID-19 pandemic.

 A group of Samoan nurses also played a key role in helping and learning from the volunteers and making communication easier.

The mission began in Savai’i. They were divided into teams stationed at pharmacies and schools, delivering diabetes awareness sessions and conducting basic health screenings. 

During the first week, the team successfully conducted diabetes screenings at Tuasivi Hospital and delivered educational sessions at schools in the area. In their second week, the team continued their efforts in Upolu, with members working at Apia Pharmacy and other pharmacies, while simultaneously visiting schools. 

Nate Jentzsch, a diabetes educator from Utah, told the Samoa Observer that his role was to “help with the diabetes, to talk about diabetes, and educate the people of Samoa about diabetes.”  “I volunteered; it’s my fifth time back. We get an opportunity in the evenings to go and do other things and experience Samoa, and I love it.”

Fellow team member Macie Fowlks stated the importance of education on diabetes. 

“A lot of people don’t know that they have it. They don’t know how to treat it,” she said. 

“So I think us being able to educate them and tell them that their doctor can help them and that it is reversible has made a big difference.” 

The group has tested close to 900 individuals across Savai’i and Upolu. However, the team also faced challenges, particularly with language barriers. 

“It’s hard to help people understand exactly what we’re doing because we don’t speak a lot of Samoan,” one volunteer explained. “That’s why we have local nurses here, and they’ve been very helpful.”

Fowlks, a nursing student, also highlighted her dual role as a learner and educator “I was able to come and learn a lot and also help teach because I’m in the process of learning about diabetes and other medical topics myself.”

“Our team at Apia Pharmacy was very excited to work with the Healthy Samoa Team. They provided an exceptional service in the heart of town, providing access to free health checkups over the past four days. Grateful to collaborate with American nurses, Sean, Nate and their awesome nursing students. Not forgetting NFL player Puka and his Mum. In just 10-minute time slots, they have reached significant numbers in the community,” stated Malaetele Leolasi Tafua Rivers-Masoe, Pharmacist and Manager of  Apia Pharmacy 

“Simply testing individuals for diabetes testing and blood pressure while processing prescriptions or simply browsing our pharmacy.  This convenient, on-the-go service underscores our commitment to making health accessible to everyone in our community,”