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CEO objects to LBJ board’s latest new hire

While the Hospital Board of Directors has hired Toaga Seumalo as the new Ancillary and Outpatient Clinical Support Services Director (formerly known as Professional Services Director) the Hospital's Chief Executive officer, Joseph Davis Fleming disputes the hiring and has not made a final decision on it.

 

This was confirmed by Hospital Human Resources Director, Komiti Emmsley in response to Samoa News queries. However Samoa News understands that Mrs. Seumalo is now carrying out the duties of the Director of Ancillary and Outpatient Clinical Support Services, despite the CEO’s objection.

 

According to the HR Director, this position oversees all the Clinics and Outpatients.

 

Seumalo declined to comment on the matter however Samoa News understands that late last month, the board decided to hire her — Seumalo — but the CEO said no.

 

According to some hospital officials, Seumalo underwent the full hiring procedure prior to receiving the directorship position: 1) She filled out the application and, 2) She was interviewed by the hospital board.

 

However, the CEO did not agree with the board’s decision and told HR that there were technicalities during the interview. His comments apparently came after the board awarded her the position. It's unclear what technicalities the CEO was referring to when he told HR personnel that he was disputing the hiring decision made by the board.

 

Samoa News sent questions to the Chairman of the hospital board, Mase Akapo and also to the hospital CEO last week regarding this matter, however to date there has been no response from either the chairman or the CEO.

 

Among the questions submitted to the LBJ board chairman from Samoa News: Why was Seumalo hired by the hospital board, instead of the CEO? Mase did not respond to this question.

 

As reported by Samoa News, in February of this year, former hospital board member Velega Savali, who resigned from the board late last year, took issue with the hospital board being involved with the hiring of hospital employees.

 

Velega told Samoa News, at the time, “the hospital board has its mandates and operating, hiring and managing the hospital is not one of those mandates.” He pointed out that they were chosen by the governor to oversee the hospital operations for the betterment of the people and not waste time on issues that other people are paid to handle.

 

OTHER HOSPITAL NEWS

 

While not answering certain questions posed by Samoa News, the LBJ board chairman did answer others.

 

Asked about the status of the governor’s mandate to establish one fee structure for all residents of American Samoa regardless of immigration status, Mase told Samoa News, "the board decided not to pursue the single fee structure for the time being, however we continue to review and evaluate our finances and will revisit this and other issues and render solutions where necessary.”

 

Mase said of the recent problem wherein the x-ray machine was not working, the hospital has taken action to purchase a new x-ray machine, adding that funds have been identified and allocated to replace all equipment that needs to be replaced.

 

The board chair also said the extension for the Dialysis Unit has been on-going and it is about 60% complete.

 

He further stated the hospital’s cafeteria has had a face lift and is now air conditioned, while the kitchen is currently being renovated.

 

“The hospital has now gone solar, and we expect to have a savings on our utilities anywhere from 30-40%,” he told Samoa News.