Fia Malamalama school hosted an ENT clinic on Wednesday with the visiting health team hopeful teachers and parents learnt more about ear, nose and throat care.

The ENT [ear nose and throat] team from the Ministry of Health's Tupua Tamasese Meaole National Hospital were led to the school by Annette Kaspar who with her colleagues then set up their mobile clinic to carry out their program on Wednesday morning.

The purpose of the program is to show that such services are available for everyone, especially children with disabilities.

Sharon Suhren, the Fia Malamalama Principal, told the Samoa Observer that it was a good opportunity for the parents to know of the availability of such a service for their children.

She said this is especially important when they have problems with their ears, nose and the throat and if they had any questions they could ask the officers including the nurses.

The school hoped the visit raised more awareness on the healthcare of their children, according to Ms Suhren, in order to address times when they fall sick as it could become a barrier to their learning and education.

For parent Paulo Salesa of Faleula, who has a 7-year-old attending the school, the awareness was helpful and he expressed his gratitude as it taught him how to look after his child. 

"It has taught me on how I can look after my child when they have an issue with their hearing and such," the parent said. 

The school was hoping to have all the parents of the students show up for the program so that they could be made aware of the ENT services provided by the Moto'otua hospital.

The ENT program was funded by the Australian government through the Ministry of Women Community and Social Development, under the Samoa Disability Partnership Program. 

Ms Suhren expressed her gratitude to the Government of Australia, which has been a long time sponsor of their school, and they are looking forward to hosting more programs such as the ENT clinic in the future.