FIFTH REPORT - World Health Organization

302 FIFTH REPORT ON THE WORLD HEALTH SITUATION
outpatient department recorded 282 new patients in
1972. Psychiatric consultations were given at one
outpatient clinic to 185 new patients. Western Samoa
also had a tuberculosis clinic and a leprosy clinic.
The two public health laboratories carried out nearly
150 000 examinations during the year.
Environmental sanitation
In 1972, of the 16 health districts, 14, with a total
population of 133 319, had piped water systems. None
of the communities in Western Samoa had a sewerage
system.
Major public health problems
The most important health problems in Western
Samoa are gastrointestinal infections associated with
poor environmental sanitation, and respiratory
diseases. The nutritional status of the inhabitants is
also causing concern.
National health planning
Western Samoa's first five -year economic development
plan covered the period 1966 -1970. The second
five -year development plan was formulated for the
period 1971 -1975. In the second five -year economic
development plan, the Government laid emphasis on
increasing agricultural, fishery, and forestry products,
developing small -scale industries, encouraging international
trade, and constructing roads, ferries and telecommunication
systems. The plan also laid emphasis
on the reorientation of the education and training
system.
Although there is no national health planning unit
in the Health Department, planning is done by the
National Health Advisory Committee under the chairmanship
of the Director of Health and with the participation
of the chiefs of the six divisions of the Department.
Their decisions are subject to the approval of
the Minister of Health. The health sector of the second
five -year development plan calls for the improvement
of preventive and curative health services and the
initiation of a family planning programme to be integrated
into the general health services. Much attention
is also paid to the strengthening of rural health services.
Medical and public health research
Since 1969 the surgical service of the Apia general
hospital has been engaged in clinical research on
filariasis, particularly with a view to finding effective
ways of correcting the deformities of filarial elephantiasis.
This project is supported by WHO and by the
New Zealand Medical Research Council. In 1972 a
public health research programme was initiated to
survey and analyse the workload and activities of the
district health personnel, in order to formulate a
reasonable staffing pattern for the rural health services
and to improve the work programme in the health
districts.
Assistance from WHO
In 1972 WHO's assistance to Western Samoa
included the following projects:
Tuberculosis control (1971- ): to consolidate
and assess the tuberculosis control service in the
demonstration area of Leulumoega; to standardize the
methods and procedures used by all districts; and,
ultimately, to integrate the tuberculosis control services
into the general health services throughout the
country.
Filariasis control (1972) UNICEF: a consultant
reviewed the survey data obtained through the project,
made an epidemiological assessment, assessed
the vector mosquito density in the area of drug distribution,
evaluated the field trials of vector control,
and made recommendations on future activities.
National health services development (1967- )
UNICEF: to develop and strengthen the organization
and operation of the general health services, particularly
at district and local levels; to improve the
operation of the rural health programme; to organize
in- service training; to conduct epidemiological studies;
and to plan disease control programmes as part of the
general health services.
Public administration and management advisory
services (1972): a consultant advised the Health Department
on the organization and maintenance of a recording
and filing system and helped to train staff for this
work.
Hospital administration (1971- 1972): a consultant
helped to assess the medical care services, advised on
and assisted in strengthening hospital management
practices and procedures and assisted in establishing
referral systems. He also participated in the formulation
of a building programme for hospital services
and in the organization of training programmes for
hospital staff, and advised on legislative measures for
ensuring the effective delivery of medical care services.
Nursing education (1972- ) UNDP: to improve
the standard of nursing and midwifery education and
services.
Maternal and child health /family planning (1971- )
UNFPA UNICEF: to organize a family planning
programme, including advice on the spacing and
limitation of births and the treatment of subfertility,
and train the necessary staff.