One doctor and three medical engineers from the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital are heading to China.

They will be going for training  to use new medical equipment at the Central Hospital of Huizhou in the province of Guangdong.

The team consists of sonographer and radiographer, Masina Fuimaono, biomedical technician Siaosi Tuigamala, Laboratory technician, Victor Mapesone and Radiologist, Dr. Glenn Fatupaito.

The group will be in China for three months.

One year ago, the Samoan hospital and the Central Hospital of Huizhou established a sister-hospital relationship. 

Now, the Chinese hospital is donating new medical equipment valued at about $1.2 million to the Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital, which will be sent in the next few days. The Chinese government will also cover all costs for the training and stay in Huizhou.

“We are very appreciative that the Huizhou hospital is donating us the equipment, especially for my department the portable X-Ray machine and ultrasound,” said Dr. Fatupaito.

“It is needed. We definitely have a shortage of working equipment.”

The doctor and medical engineers will be trained how to operate the equipment so that Samoans will benefit.

 “I believe they will be able to use the equipment professionally and efficiently and help more patients after coming back to Samoa,” Chinese Ambassador Wang Xuefeng said.

Laboratory technician Victor Mapesone added that he is looking forward to instructing his fellow worker on how to operate the expensive equipment.

Apart from the four participants, the Huizhou hospital will provide more training opportunities for Samoan doctors, nurses and graduates in medical school. 

China and Samoa have been cooperating in the medical field for many years. 

The Chinese government has sent 14 medical teams with more than 100 Chinese doctors to Samoan hospitals in the past three decades. This week, a medical team worked with the National Health Service for two days giving free eye operations and other consultations to patients.