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National Hospital in Apia - Source: Reuters -
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Government post-tsunami health efforts in Samoa are now focusing on recovery, as demand for acute and emergency surgery decreases, Health Minister Tony Ryall says.
"Plans are in place to determine the on-going help that will be required to support the health system in Samoa as they gradually return to business as usual."
"We are continuing to rotate staff up to Samoa, and this will carry on for some weeks yet."
A relief liaison manager and logistics person left for Samoa on Tuesday, and two GPs and a general surgeon joined the group on Wednesday.
Demand for emergency medicine had decreased but staff were seeing 100-130 people a day at field clinics.
On-going wound care and plastic surgery continued to keep hospital staff busy.
Psychologists and psychiatrists were coordinating psycho-social support.
"Our role is to help increase the local capacity and capability, as the demand for psycho-social services will be on-going," Ryall says.
"New Zealand mental health staff have played a role in establishing `train the trainer' courses for school teachers in Samoa to ensure they are equipped to support young people through their grief."
Since September 29, 43 New Zealand medical personnel were deployed through District Health Boards and the Ministry of Health with 28 personnel there now.
This would reduce to 20 as demand for services reduces and Samoan health providers were able to cope.
New Zealand sent over three tonnes of medical equipment, supplies and medications.
New Zealand was reassessing an existing arrangement with Samoa to support their health system, by providing access to specialist care, to look at how it could be best used over the coming year.
