WHO Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau

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WHO Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau The official page of the World Health Organization Representative Office in Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau

Fakaalofa lahi atu from Alofi! 🇳🇺Our WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, Dr Wen...
08/10/2025

Fakaalofa lahi atu from Alofi! 🇳🇺

Our WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, Dr Wendy Snowdon, is in Niue this week to meet with officials from the Government of Niue and discuss our ongoing partnership towards .

Dr Snowdon was honoured to present her credentials to the Prime Minister of Niue, Honourable Dalton Tagelagi, and they discussed opportunities to further strengthen collaboration in public health. Also in attendance at the meeting were the Minister for the Ministry of Social Services, Honourable Sonya Talagi, and other key officials from Niue.

“I’m pleased to be here to reaffirm WHO’s commitment to support the health priorities in Niue,” said Dr Snowdon. “With the Ministry of Social Services leading the way and partners working together, we can build a healthier future for all Niueans.”

What are the Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc)?They’re global referen...
06/10/2025

What are the Model Lists of Essential Medicines (EML) and Essential Medicines for Children (EMLc)?

They’re global reference lists of safe and effective medicines that address the most important health needs of populations. Currently, the lists include 523 essential medicines for adults and 374 for children. Over 150 countries use them to guide national medicine policies.

The latest update adds new treatments for:
➡️ Various types of cancer
➡️ Diabetes with comorbidities like obesity
➡️ Cystic fibrosis, haemophilia, and other blood-related disorders

Read more 🔗 https://www.who.int/news/item/05-09-2025-who-updates-list-of-essential-medicines-to-include-key-cancer--diabetes-treatments

The Cook Islands Annual Health Conference 2025 began in Rarotonga today! This conference brings together leaders, health...
02/10/2025

The Cook Islands Annual Health Conference 2025 began in Rarotonga today! This conference brings together leaders, health professionals, and partners to highlight the importance of the First 1000 Days — from conception to a child’s second birthday.

Our WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, Dr Wendy Snowdon, joined the Honourable Minister of Health Vainetutai Rose Toki-Brown and other regional experts to share insights on shaping healthier futures for our children and communities.

"We must be reminded to act with utmost urgency to reduce the burden of maternal and neonatal mortality in our Region. Let us strengthen health systems and invest in our health workforce, scale up Early Essential Newborn Care, protect and promote breastfeeding, boost childhood immunization systems, and empower communities to be the champions of the first 1000 days," said Dr Snowdon during the formal opening ceremony. "It is critical that we work together, from governments, development partners, health professionals, and communities, to ensure that every child across the Western Pacific has the chance to survive, thrive, and reach their full potential. Giving our children a healthy start at life leads to hopeful futures."

The new WHO Western Pacific Regional Director’s report is out now! 📘This year’s report introduces a refreshed format wit...
01/10/2025

The new WHO Western Pacific Regional Director’s report is out now! 📘

This year’s report introduces a refreshed format with deeper insights into the countries and areas we serve, including American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa, and Tokelau. It highlights the health progress of Member States, supported by WHO, across the five action areas of the regional vision.

Read the Report of the Regional Director: the work of WHO in the Western Pacific Region, 1 July 2024 - 30 June 2025: https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789290621010

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.Every minute, 4 women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally.Breast cancer i...
01/10/2025

October is Breast Cancer Awareness Month.

Every minute, 4 women are diagnosed with breast cancer globally.

Breast cancer is treatable, especially when caught early. And this year’s campaign is raising awareness of the importance of early detection.

This October, join us in raising awareness and knowledge about breast cancer.

Kia orana from Cook Islands! 🇨🇰 Today, Dr Wendy Snowdon, WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue...
22/09/2025

Kia orana from Cook Islands! 🇨🇰

Today, Dr Wendy Snowdon, WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, was warmly welcomed by the Prime Minister of Cook Islands, Honourable Mark Brown, as she formally presented her credentials to the Government of Cook Islands.

During the meeting, Dr Snowdon reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to working in partnership with the Cook Islands to strengthen health systems, advance public health priorities, and promote .

“I’m honoured to be here in the Cook Islands and to have the opportunity to work alongside the government and our partners. Together, we can build on the progress already made and continue to improve the health and well-being of communities across the country,” said Dr Snowdon.

Photo: WHO / Lepaitai Blanche Hansell

It’s World Alzheimer’s Day.Dementia affects over 57 million people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common typ...
20/09/2025

It’s World Alzheimer’s Day.

Dementia affects over 57 million people worldwide. Alzheimer’s disease is the most common type, making up 60-70% of cases. Dementia primarily affects older adults, impacting their memory, thinking, and daily activities.

Swipe through ➡️ to see the 10 signs of dementia to watch for. If you notice any of these signs in yourself or a loved one, talk to a health professional early. Even without a cure, early advice can help families plan, care, and cope better.

Learn more 🔗 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/dementia

Taking the next step to strengthen health security in Cook Islands 🇨🇰This week, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Isl...
18/09/2025

Taking the next step to strengthen health security in Cook Islands 🇨🇰

This week, Te Marae Ora Ministry of Health Cook Islands, with support from WHO and Polynesian Health Corridors, is leading a multisectoral workshop to develop the country’s National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS).

Building on the momentum of the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) earlier this year, the workshop brings together over 20 participants from government agencies and partners to prioritize key actions and agree on practical steps to strengthen the country’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats.

Throughout the week, participants work through 19 technical areas, ranging from surveillance and laboratory systems to emergency management and risk communication, ensuring the plan is tailored to the Cook Islands’ context and ready for implementation.

This workshop reflects strong national leadership and collaboration to across the Cook Islands.

Photos: Te Marae Ora & WHO / Lepaitai Blanche Hansell

This afternoon, Dr Wendy Snowdon, WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, had the h...
17/09/2025

This afternoon, Dr Wendy Snowdon, WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, had the honour to meet with Samoa’s newly sworn-in Health Minister Honourable Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo. The Acting Director General of Health Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen and Chief Operating Officer Sina Fa’aiuga were also in attendance.

The meeting reaffirmed the ongoing close collaboration between the Ministry of Health Samoa and the WHO. Minister Alofipo and Dr Snowdon also discussed shared priorities and strengthening joint efforts towards .

“On behalf of WHO, I would like to congratulate Minister Alofipo on his new role and we look forward to continuing our close partnership in building a healthy Samoa,” said Dr Snowdon.

Photo: WHO/Faizza Tanggol

Doctors across Samoa 🇼🇸 are enhancing their diagnostic skills through point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), an innovative po...
16/09/2025

Doctors across Samoa 🇼🇸 are enhancing their diagnostic skills through point-of-care ultrasound (POCUS), an innovative portable device that allows for bedside scanning anywhere it’s needed.

A POCUS in Emergency and Acute Care in Resource-Limited Settings (PEARLS) training initiative, led by the Ministry of Health Samoa with support from volunteer doctors from Australia and New Zealand, WHO and other partners, is helping lay the foundation for more accessible, safer and timely diagnosis in settings where access to imaging is limited.

Photos: WHO/Faizza Tanggol

Tomorrow, 17 September, is World Patient Safety Day!Every child has the right to safe, quality health care from the very...
16/09/2025

Tomorrow, 17 September, is World Patient Safety Day!

Every child has the right to safe, quality health care from the very beginning. But children face unique risks due to their rapid development, evolving health needs, and reliance on adults to advocate on their behalf. A single safety incident can have lifelong consequences.

🔹 For families: Be your child’s safety champion by staying informed, asking questions, and speaking up.
🔹For health workers: Deliver care that’s safe, child-centred, and adapted to every child’s needs.

Let us unite in action to prevent avoidable harm in paediatric care and to build a safer, healthier future for every child.

Find out more 🔗 https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-patient-safety-day/2025

You are not alone 💚Even when things feel overwhelming, talking about su***de is okay. If you're having thoughts of su***...
10/09/2025

You are not alone 💚

Even when things feel overwhelming, talking about su***de is okay. If you're having thoughts of su***de, reaching out to someone you trust can be the first step toward feeling better.

Help is available:
➡️ Reach out to a professional, counsellor, or social worker
➡️ Join a support group
➡️ If you need immediate help, contact emergency services or a crisis hotline:

🇦🇸 American Samoa: Call the American Samoa Su***de Prevention and Mental Health Services Helpline 988
🇨🇰 Cook Islands: Call Te Kainga O Pa Taunga at 20162 (24/7) or TMO for mental health service queries at 80818
🇳🇺 Niue: Call 999 for emergency services or contact the hospital for mental health support
🇼🇸 Samoa: Call Samoa Victim Support Group at 800-7874 (24/7), the Ministry of Health Mental Health Helpline at +685 21212 (Mon–Fri, 8am–6pm) or the emergency line at 911.
🇹🇰 Tokelau: Contact your local hospital or health clinic on Atafu, Fakaofo, or Nukunonu for support

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Our Story

Western Samoa was assigned to the Western Pacific Region at the Sixth World Health Assembly held in May 1953 ''without prejudice to any questions regarding sovereignty'' as an area. Western Samoa joined the World Health Organization on 16 May 1962 as a Member State after gaining its independence from New Zealand on 1 January 1962. From 1946 to 1961, Western Samoa was administered by New Zealand under a United Nations Trusteeship Agreement. In July 1997, the Constitution was amended to change the country’s name from Western Samoa to Samoa (officially the “Independent State of Samoa”).

The WHO Representative Office in the South Pacific covered Samoa from 1956 to 1968, the designation of a WHO Country Liaison Office in Apia. On 1 October 1986, the WHO Representative Office in Apia, Samoa was established and covers the American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue, Samoa and Tokelau.