B.Y.U. heart specialists to visit Samoan schools

By Adel Fruean 22 April 2019, 12:00AM

A group of doctors, medical technicians, and students from Brigham Young University (BYU) in Utah, United States are scheduled to arrive in Samoa this month.

This was confirmed by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints Director of Public Affairs, Maiava Viiga Fuimaono, in a recent interview with Samoa Observer.

According to Maiava, the team will be travelling to primary and secondary schools throughout Savai'i and Upolu to provide follow up tests and screening for Rheumatic Disease.

“Their visit is part of their agreement through a five-year memorandum of understanding signed with the Samoan Government. This is not first time that they visited Samoa, the purpose of their trip is to follow-up with cases they consulted with last year.

“One of the highlights of their visit last year to various schools were cases found of students badly affected from and it’s really alarming that there was a high number of kids that are silently living with health problems,” he said.

The group will hold a press conference this Saturday at the Sheraton Samoa Aggie Grey's Hotel & Bungalows in Apia.

“They will be arriving this week, and they conduct a press conference before they hop on a boat and go to Savaii as their first stop.

“Their first stop in Savai'i is Saipipi and they will do screenings around schools and some presentations around for various organisations and after they will return to Upolu on the end of the week to do the same thing.

“Additionally they have a presentation at the National University of Samoa (NUS) and after will be a donation for the Ministry of Health (MOH),” he added. 

Maiava described the visit by the medical professionals as a blessing for Samoa.

“I think this is a blessing for the Samoan people because we are not spending a lot of money to send the team to Samoa but it is especially a benefit for our young people who are much vulnerable to heart disease.

“I think that they are targeting kids because the children are the future and it is significant to care for the young so that they can grow up healthier and stronger," he added. 

By Adel Fruean 22 April 2019, 12:00AM
Samoa Observer

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