Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — LBJ hospital received a donation of bedding materials from the two stakes of the Church of Jesus Christ of the Latter Day Saints this week Monday, July 31, 2023.

The supply of pillows, pillow cases, blankets, fitted sheets, thin and thick over spreads etc were contributions from the Sisters of Relief Society of the Pago West Stake and Mapusaga Pago Stake.

High Counsel for the Pago Maupsaga Stake, Fatu Sui Anapogi Loto  said this is part of their community service, where they donate about twice a year depending on the leaders.

This particular donation was from the “Sisters of the Relief Society of both stakes, Pago West Stake and Pago Mausaga Stake.”

There are five Stakes in American Samoa, with more than 40 Wards and branches. The LDS Church is growing in American Samoa, he said.

“We have this service twice a year and we select the organizations to donate to like the hospital and the Home for the Elderly, Fatuoaiga.”

2nd Counsel to the Pago Mapusaga Stake Presidency, Mapu Mote Siufanua , said the donation to help our local community, is part of the Church Ministry.

At the LBJ hospital yesterday to receive the donation, was the Chief Executive Officer, Dr Akapusi Ledua, LBJ Human Resources Director, Rowena Reid and management.

Ms Reid says there's always a shortage of hospital bedding supplies.

She said they talked about charging the patients, when the pillowcases and sheets go missing, as in the mainland if you ask for q- tip they charge you for a q-tip.

LBJ  has several projects from different church groups that are going to   start cleaning, painting and start fixing up “OUR” hospital she emphasizes. “We want the people to know this hospital is for them, its community hospital. This is their way of contributing as a Community to the hospital.”

The HR Director has just joined LBJ in the last couple months, and she remembers the LDS donating similar supplies about three or four times before.

“This coincides with our new beds that we’ve been getting 30 beds at a time, and hope by the end of the year, we have more new beds to add to the hospital.

“The old equipment was saved for spare parts.  So this comes at a good time so we can start refurbishing.

“We have 30 new beds, and hopefully we can refurbish the next time the new beds arrive and we’re going to save the old beds for standby.”

Asked whether she supports the plan for a renovation of the existing hospital, Ms Reid, says she's seen the renovation plan and they should stick to that plan.

“We hope they renovate this hospital.”