Pago Pago, AMERICAN SAMOA — Two American Samoan women stepped up a few years back to help alleviate the doctor shortage at LBJ Hospital, which has now gained two new fledgling doctors as a result of a six-year program at the Fiji National University.
Dr. Nerisa Faumuina who hails from Nua and Seetaga, and Dr. Mary Matai’a of Vailoa — left their children, husband, families and friends in American Samoa to take up a Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery (MBBS) undergraduate program in Fiji.
In June 2023, the pair returned to Am Samoa following a successful completion of the MBBS Program and are already working doctors at LBJ while waiting for their graduation ceremony on December 13, 2023 in Fiji.
LBJ CEO Dr Akapusi Ledua congratulated the pair. “The doctors will be graduating from Fiji National University with MBBS degrees Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgical Degree on the 13th of December 2023.
“Officially they’ve already completed all the requirements to graduate with MBBS Degrees.
“Dr. Faumuina and Dr. Matai’a are part of those on scholarship that was provided by the government in collaboration with LBJ hospital for them to do the six years of MBBS Program at the Fiji National University.”
The proud LBJ CEO, says, “We are happy that our two first graduates out of this program have successfully completed all the requirements and now are graduating with the bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degree.”
Dr. Matai’a said the schooling went well with the only challenge being away from her children and husband for six years and she is grateful for the opportunity she has had, and thanked the government for the scholarship and also thanked the LBJ administration as well as families, and church communities for all their prayers.
The MBBS program includes Pediatric, Surgery, OB, Internal Medicine and Community Medicine, Dr. Matai’a said.
The two new doctors are former employees of LBJ hospital, both previously worked at the Lab as technicians.
Dr. Mata’ia served for about 15 years at LBJ hospital and at Public Health before taking up this MBBS program, while Dr. Faumuina served more than five years at LBJ hospital.
Dr. Doctor Mata’ia holds a Bachelor of Biochemistry degree from Australia and Dr. Faumuina holds a Bachelor degree in Biology — degrees they each earned before applying for the six year MBBS program in Fiji.
Their next hurdle will be a one-year of internship, and Dr. Ledua said he is looking into the possibility of the two meeting that criteria here in American Samoa rather than returning to Fiji.
The internship is followed by a year of clinical training and after that they will be certified as General Practitioners (GPs) —a doctor who does not specialize in any particular area of medicine, but has a medical practice in which he or she treats all types of illness.
After that, they can take up further studies in an area of specialization if that is their desire.
As for how to encourage homegrown doctors in American Samoa, Dr. Matai’a suggests one way would be through the Department of Education, where subjects like Science and Math could be emphasized in elementary school and continue in high school and ASCC as those are the basic requirements for a career in Medicine.
In support of her colleague, Dr. Faumuina also encourages anyone with an interest in Medicine to look at it starting from elementary to ASCC in order to have a strong background going towards medical school with a basic foundation in Science, Math and English to help establish the foundation needed for medical school.
Dr. Matai’a has already made up her mind to do Internal Medicine-Cardiology, as there are no specialists in their field in American Samoa.
Dr. Faumuina said, “I already know what I don’t want to do, I will see after my first year of internship [what I do want to do].
In the meantime, LBJ hospital employs about 70% expatriate doctors while 30 % are locals.
Comments
Sorted by BestComments are powered by Disqus. By commenting, you agree to their privacy policy.
Powered by Disqus