Patients left without breakfast as hospital catering staff failed to show up

Patients at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Motootua were left without breakfast on Thursday morning after catering staff failed to report for duty, choosing instead to take their grievances over wages and overtime pay directly to the Minister of Health. (Photo: Junior S. Ami)

By Jarrett Malifa • 16 October 2025, 3:10PM

Patients at the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Motootua were left without breakfast this morning after catering staff failed to show up for work.

The Samoa Observer understands that the employees, who are usually on duty in the early hours of the morning to prepare meals, went to see the Minister of Health to raise concerns over their wages and the lack of overtime pay.

An urgent meeting was later called to address the situation and prevent further disruption to hospital services.

Hospital sources said the absence of kitchen staff disrupted meal services for inpatients, with some wards left without food well into the morning.

The Ministry of Health are yet to comment.

More developments to this story: https://www.samoaobserver.ws/category/samoa/116516