Cancer Information Corners in Savaii District Hospitals

February 27, 2021

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Screenshot_20210227-232210_Gmail — Cancer & Health Information Corner at Fualalo District Hospital

When the Savaii community next visit district hospitals on the Big Island, they may notice a new feature displayed in all outpatient waiting areas.

A sign atop the display states in Samoan,‘Faamatalaga e uiga i le gasegase o le kanesa & soifua maloloina i Samoa’.

Translated to ‘Cancer & Health Information Corner’. The pilot project is an initiative of the Samoa Cancer Society and makes available cancer related and health brochures, booklets and flyers for the information of the community.

Cancer & Health Information Corner at Tuasivi Hospital

The ‘Cancer & Health Information Corner’ project aims to strengthen the knowledge base within village communities by improving the visibility, availability and sustainability of information. By having the information available in the heart of communities, they will further engage them with cancer awareness programs.

SCS CEO, Su’a John Ryan says, “we continue to seek innovative ways to enhance existing awareness programs and dissemination of information to tackle the lack of information access throughout Samoa especially for people living in rural areas who are most at risk or who may not have sought information about cancer otherwise”.

A letter of partnership support from the Director General for Ministry of Health Leausa Dr Take Naseri encouraged the SCS to submit this pilot project proposal for funding with the Australian High Commission’s Direct Aid Program (DAP), a small grants program designed to support local community groups and organizations. A fund total of $10,000 was approved in July 2020 to assist the SCS with implementing this project. However due to COVID-19 State of Emergency restrictions and severe weather conditions towards the end 2020, SCS was only just able to successfully complete the installation of these centers early this month.

Australian High Commissioner, Her Excellency Sara Moriarty applauded the efforts of the SCS supported through Australia’s DAP, saying: “the initiative is a collaborative effort that complements the sustainable development goals of ‘good health and well-being’ of the people of Samoa. I applaud SCS on taking proactive approaches towards preventative care in the community by encouraging the sharing of information resulting in more health conscious villages.”

The Cancer & Health Information Corners have been set up in Fualalo, Sataua, Safotu and Tuasivi district hospitals. The Samoa Cancer Society have also managed to set up similar centres in the Lufilufi and Leulumoega District Hospitals and hope to expand the project to all district hospitals in Upolu as funds become available.