ABOUT SAMOA
Education & Medical Services
EDUCATION
The Samoan language is one of the oldest forms of Polynesian speech. It is spoken throughout Samoa and American Samoa.
Prior to the arrival of the missionaries, Samoan was not a written language. The missionaries introduced the English language and alphabet, the Western system of counting, and established formal education and schooling. During the years when Samoa was under the New Zealand colonial administration, Samoa adopted the New Zealand education system. In 1992 education was made compulsory until the age of 16.
At present all levels of schooling are available, from pre-school to university.
The University of the South Pacific (USP) was established in 1977 and has its Agriculture Campus in Samoa.
 For more information contact:
- The University of the South Pacific
PO Box 3014
Apia SAMOA
- Email: vaa_ruby@samoa.usp.ac.fj
The National University of Samoa (NUS) was founded in 1988, and in 2007 merged with several technical training colleges such as Samoa Polytechnic and the Samoa Teacher Training College. It is now the Institute for Higher Learning and Institute of Technology.
For more information contact:
- The National University of Samoa
PO Box 1622
Apia SAMOA
- Telephone: (+685) 20072
Email: registrar@nus.edu.ws
Web: www.nus.edu.ws
A growing number of graduates also attend overseas tertiary institutions on grants from the Samoan Government and aid agencies. This new generation of educated young people is entering the workforce, injecting new confidence and upgrading the local pool of human resources.
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MEDICAL SERVICES
There are a number of privately owned medical clinics in Samoa and the main hospitals are the National Hospital and the privately owned Medcen Hospital. Both hospitals are situated in the Capital, Apia.
The usual process for medical evacuation of foreigners is that the insurance company and foreign agencies (UNDP, NZ High Commission etc) can arrange referral with or without patient/doctor recommendation. Arrangements between the local doctor and the doctor overseas regarding the evacuation of the patients are critical to ensure the patient's stability and safety when evacuated. Speed of departure depends mainly on the following;
- Frequency of flights (any airline available at the time)
- Agreement of the airline and time needed to equip the plane with stretcher facilities (if a stretcher is needed)
- Administrative procedure to be followed (administrative authorization, exit visa's, agreement of the local authorities, choice of accompanying doctor etc)
The average time take from the decision to evacuate to the arrival overseas is between 48 - 72 hours. Delays are usually encountered when awaiting approval from the Insurance Company.
For further information contact:
- The Chief Executive Officer
Ministry of Health
Private Bag
Apia SAMOA
- Telephone: (+685) 21212
Website: www.health.gov.ws
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Updated: 16 June 2008
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