Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — “Shape up or ship out” these words were uttered by Deputy Director of Health, Vesi Fautanu Talalelei in response to complaints raised by DoH staff about “new changes” to be implemented in the coming year.

“The changes we are making is to better our service to the public at the DoH’s Community Health Clinics out in the villages,” said Talalelei.

The deputy director was responding to concerns raised by DoH staff on proposed personnel changes, which are to be effective in the new year.

He told Samoa News during an interview that the Department of Health (DoH) received American Rescue Plan Act (ARPA) funding of over $40 million specifically for the operations of the clinics.

“For Manu’a, we’re looking at relocating the clinic in Ofu as it has been condemned by the FEMA — given its vulnerability to tsunamis; therefore [currently] we can’t seek federal grants to assist with its operations.

 “We are looking at building a permanent clinic in Aunu’u with a helipad; as a matter of fact the clinics in Manu’a will also have helipads for medivac purposes.

“Also in Aunu’u we are purchasing a bus for the nurses to use for their home visits around the island.

 “We hope to expand the Tafuna Health Clinic, the one in Leone, Faga’alu and the far east,” he said.

According to DoH staff, the department changes will see a “major reshuffle” of personnel.

“Again, as I said before,” Talalelei stated, “the changes will better serve the mission of the department.

“We’re also looking at hiring more DoH staff, personnel, nurses and doctors that will be stationed at the Community Health Centers, so either shape up and or ship out,” he said.

 “The Department of Health has a long list of mandates that need to be fulfilled so the staff needs to get on board, we are public servants our main goal is to serve the public, not to be served.”

He added that the community health centers should cater to non emergency cases as is being done now at the clinic in Faga’alu that was opened to assist LBJ with the long wait the public endures when seeking medical treatment at the ER.

Last month a collaborative effort between the DoH and the LBJ hospital was launched to “help relieve the overcrowding of our LBJ emergency room,” said the hospital’s Chief Executive Officer Moefaauo Bill Emmsley during a joint press conference with DoH.

The CEO said the emergency room has seen a remarkable rise in numbers of patients seeking emergency services, 24-7.

 “However we have discovered that on average, 65 percent of all those visiting the ER are considered non-urgent cases and those kinds of cases, we believe fit the role of the Department of Health.

 “These are primary care cases and non-urgent cases.

 “Given it’s a standard rule for the LBJ that we never turn anyone away; so therefore we have asked the assistance of DoH in opening up some of the clinics to help the LBJ emergency room relieve the traffic; not only relieving the traffic but also shortening the visit times of patients and of course the frustration of those visiting the LBJ.”