Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Despite the citation of “closure” issued for the LBJ hospital’s cafeteria, by the Department of Health, the cafeteria remains open.

The Head of the DoH Environmental Health Services Division, Aileen Solaita confirmed the closure notice in response to Samoa News questions. 

“EHSD-DOH deemed the facility CLOSED even on the day of inspection, which was on July 25, 2022,” said Mrs Solaita in an email confirming the closure.

However the Head of the Division did not respond to questions pertaining to grounds that led to the closure.

Nurses and doctors at the hospital on the other hand confirmed the cafeteria was “never closed”. On Monday, Samoa News contacted the hospital about the cafeteria closure, but the operator said it remains open and again — was “never closed”.

Samoa News reached out to the hospital Director, Moefaauo William Emmsley for comments via email but there has been no response as of press time.

Email sent to Emmsley is printed verbatim below and points out the concerns and questions about the hospital that remain unanswered:

Talofa Director, 

Joyetter Feagaimaalii here with Samoa News seeking comments following confirmation by the Department of Health, that they had "deemed: cafeteria closed since 27 July. 

However, the hospital staff have also confirmed the cafeteria was never closed. 

Can you comment on why the hospital has refused to adhere to the citation issued by the Department of Health, closing down the restaurant?  

The DOH cited the closure as due to unsanitary conditions at the cafeteria.

Any comments on the grounds of the closure? 

Is it right for all other restaurants to close down as per the DOH citations, yet the hospital is refusing to adhere to the citation by the DOH, another government agency? 

Does this mean, the hospital is challenging the authority of the DOH, as per statute?   

BACKGROUND

As reported earlier, the Department of Health appealed to the Legislature to include “citation fines” into the local heath statute.

 “This will ensure that businesses, including restaurants and retail stores, adhere to health regulations ensuring the products they sell to the public are healthy and clean.”

Aileen Solaita in an interview with Samoa News said their division comprising six members at the moment cannot issue citations for fines.

 “We can only issue citations, close down stores and warn businesses — but a citation accompanied with a fine would make sure the businesses are providing products that are not contaminated.

 “We have been proposing to amend the Environmental Health statute since 2017 to no avail.”

Health Inspectors ensure the public safety by inspecting businesses for health and safety hazards.

Since becoming the head of the Environmental Health Services arm of DoH, Solaita’s team has been issuing citations during daily inspections.

Samoa News also questioned Mrs Solaita on why the DoH Environmental Health Services Division would only publicly expose private businesses, including restaurants and stores, yet does not extend it to the Government office they deemed “closed” due to unsanitary condition.

In June, the DoH Environmental Health Services Division, closed down the Tafuna Police Substation after a rat infestation was discovered, to date a notice that says “closed” remains on the building, but there has been nothing posted on the Division’s Facebook page.

To date there are photos of numerous restaurants and stores the division “deemed closed” posted on the Division’s page under ASDoH Environmental Health Services Division.

Police Officers told Samoa News at that time, during the health inspection that the building is not safe due to health issues, especially the numbers of rats that were seen inside the building.

The latest business highlighted as closed on the ASDoH-EHSD page, was the Malaeimi Mart several days ago.

Other alerts on the Facebook page pointed to leaving stagnant water over a period of time that would eventually become breeding grounds for mosquitoes and may lead to another outbreak of dengue, zika, chikungunya or other vector-borne illnesses. 

“We are seeing more and more of these on the island, around businesses and homes. Be alert and keep your family safe.  Dump it out or turn upside down.”