“Travelling overseas for treatment can be very difficult for critically ill patients,” he said. "Fiji offers a closer option.”

The ministry recently visited two hospitals in Fiji and found that both facilities are equipped with modern medical equipment and are located near Nadi International Airport, "making emergency medical transfers easier," Va’aaoao said. The minister said the government plans to formalise this partnership through a memorandum of understanding.

The minister highlighted recent cases where collaboration with Fijian specialists proved beneficial. In one instance, a critically ill patient in intensive care required heart surgery but was unable to travel due to complications. The Ministry of Health consulted specialists in Fiji, who offered assistance and sent a specialist to Samoa.

In another case, a Samoan patient, Fogaa Lio, travelled to Fiji at his own expense after a hospital owner and specialist offered to perform his surgery free of charge. The patient is now recovering. The minister said this marks the first case under a new partnership with Pacific Specialist Healthcare.

In addition to Fiji, the minister also visited New Zealand. His trip included visiting hospitals whose medical teams will be deployed across districts in Upolu and Savai'i in two weeks, as well as meeting with the NZ Minister of Health, Simeon Brown.

In July, six Samoan doctors and nurses will travel to New Zealand for training at hospitals including Oamaru, Epsom and Middlemore to gain further clinical experience. The minister also said discussions with New Zealand health authorities are underway to develop a master’s-level program for nurse practitioners in collaboration with the National University of Samoa.