Proposed Senate bill would change requirements for Health director

Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — The recently confirmed Director of Health, Dr. Saipale Fuimaono, appeared before the Senate Hospital & Public Health Committee last Friday to discuss a proposed Senate bill amending the law to specify the requirements for the position of Director of Health.

Senate President Tuaolo Manaia Fruean commented that the current law stipulates that the Health Regulatory Board must be chaired by the Director of Health, who must be a medical doctor. He recalled that during his tenure at LBJ, the position of HRB chairman had been occupied by Dr. Edgar Reid, Dr. Nofo Siliga, and Dr. Aliiaiga.

However, Tuaolo noted that over the years, individuals who were not medical doctors have been appointed as Director of Health. He emphasized the importance of the Health Regulatory Board, which is responsible for issuing licenses that allow doctors to practice medicine in the Territory.

Tuaolo posed the question of whether individuals who are not medical doctors should be allowed to chair the HRB. He then explained that the proposed amendment to the bill would require that individuals appointed to the position of Director of Health must be medical doctors.

Senator Togiola T.A. Tulafono mentioned that Section 13.0207 (c) of the proposed bill states: "The Director shall possess a degree in public health, medicine or a related field; a minimum of ten years of experience in public health or a related field; and demonstrated leadership and management skills."

Togiola noted that nowadays, one can obtain degrees online, including medical degrees that are not accredited, particularly from institutions on the US East Coast and in the Caribbean. He suggested amending the bill's language to specify: "The Director shall possess a degree in public health, medicine, or a related field from a college or university accredited by an established accreditation agency."

The senator reasoned that this amendment would ensure that the successful candidate's degree is officially accredited. He asked the Health Director if he supported this proposed amendment.

Dr. Fuimaono expressed his full support, stating that this issue had been discussed in one of their board meetings as part of efforts to improve their credibility and integrity. The director emphasized that accredited degrees were essential for all doctors, including the enforcement of USMLE (United States Medical Licensing Examination) requirements for all medical doctors seeking employment in the Territory.

Senator Togiola also commented on the requirement for candidates to have a minimum of ten years of experience, suggesting that it be lowered to a minimum of five years. He argued that ten years is too long, as a significant amount of knowledge and experience necessary for the job can be gained in five years.

Furthermore, he pointed out that the ten-year requirement might hinder the application process if there are not many candidates who have worked for that long.

Dr. Fuimaono again expressed his support for Senator Togiola's proposed amendment, adding that the five years of experience must have been spent working at a hospital.

Togiola then moved a motion to amend Section 13.0207 (b) of the bill, which currently states, “The Director shall be appointed by and serve at the pleasure of the Governor with the confirmation of the Legislature,” by replacing the word 'confirmation' with 'consent.'