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

07/03/2026

It’s International Women’s Day!

Today, we celebrate all the women working to improve health care services and working towards .

Across the Pacific, women are leaders, community workers, and experts working across all parts of the health system. They are providing their expertise and perspectives to regional and global health discussions. Their voices help shape priorities, standards, and actions that strengthen health systems and enhance access to quality care for women, girls and the whole community.

Women’s leadership is essential to turn rights into reality and action into impact.

06/03/2026

Pacific young people are shaping a healthier future!

The United Nations is inviting Pacific youth aged 16–24 to take part in the Healthy Youth, Healthy Future video contest. Make a short video Reel showing what you do for your physical and mental health. The deadline for video submissions has been extended until 31 March.

Find out more and get involved 👇🏽

𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐓𝐇 𝐎𝐅 𝐓𝐇𝐄 𝐏𝐀𝐂𝐈𝐅𝐈𝐂: 𝐓𝐇𝐈𝐒 𝐈𝐒 𝐘𝐎𝐔𝐑 𝐌𝐎𝐌𝐄𝐍𝐓! 🌏🌊🌺

🎥 𝐅𝐚𝐜𝐞𝐛𝐨𝐨𝐤 & 𝐈𝐧𝐬𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐫𝐚𝐦 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 𝐂𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐞𝐬𝐭: “𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡, 𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲 𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞” 🌟
🗓️ 𝐃𝐞𝐚𝐝𝐥𝐢𝐧𝐞: 𝟏𝟓 𝐌𝐚𝐫𝐜𝐡

Are you between 𝟏𝟔–𝟐𝟒 𝐲𝐞𝐚𝐫𝐬 𝐨𝐥𝐝? Show us what you do for your health and inspire others across the Pacific!

Create a 𝟑𝟎–𝟗𝟎 𝐬𝐞𝐜𝐨𝐧𝐝 𝐯𝐞𝐫𝐭𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐥 𝐯𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨 (𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐥) sharing your version of healthy living — whether it’s:
🥗 Healthy eating
🏃‍♀️ Physical activity
🧠 Mental wellbeing
🚭 Saying no to to***co & va**ng
🍃 Avoiding harmful substances
🩺 HIV prevention
💧 Small daily habits that keep you strong

Your health, your story, your voice. 💙

𝐇𝐨𝐰 𝐭𝐨 𝐣𝐨𝐢𝐧:
1. Upload your video as a 𝐑𝐞𝐞𝐥 on Facebook and/or Instagram
𝐓𝐚𝐠 one of the UN Pacific accounts:
UN in Fiji, Solomon Islands, Tonga, Tuvalu & Vanuatu
UN in Samoa
UN Multi Country Office in Micronesia

2. Use the hashtag #𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡𝐇𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐲𝐅𝐮𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞
(The more videos shared, the bigger the impact!)

🎁 𝐖𝐢𝐧 𝐚𝐰𝐞𝐬𝐨𝐦𝐞 𝐩𝐫𝐢𝐳𝐞𝐬 𝐬𝐮𝐜𝐡 𝐚𝐬:
• Gardening kits
• Sports & fitness packs
• Healthy lifestyle bundles (water bottles, journals, totes)
• Official UN certificate

Your video featured on UN Pacific channels and in the regional campaign video! 🎬

𝐕𝐢𝐝𝐞𝐨𝐬 𝐰𝐢𝐥𝐥 𝐛𝐞 𝐣𝐮𝐝𝐠𝐞𝐝 𝐨𝐧:
✨ Creativity of the video
✨ Clear message
✨ Inspirational authenticity
✨ Positive health vibes

𝐋𝐞𝐭’𝐬 𝐟𝐥𝐨𝐨𝐝 𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐥 𝐦𝐞𝐝𝐢𝐚 𝐰𝐢𝐭𝐡 𝐩𝐨𝐰𝐞𝐫𝐟𝐮𝐥, 𝐩𝐨𝐬𝐢𝐭𝐢𝐯𝐞 𝐲𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐬𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬.
𝐘𝐨𝐮𝐫 𝐚𝐜𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧𝐬 𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐢𝐧𝐬𝐩𝐢𝐫𝐞 𝐚 𝐡𝐞𝐚𝐥𝐭𝐡𝐢𝐞𝐫 𝐏𝐚𝐜𝐢𝐟𝐢𝐜. 🌊💪



Submission guidelines: this contest is open for youth aged 16-24 years old from the following Pacific countries: Cook Islands, Federated States of Micronesia, Fiji, French Polynesia, Kiribati, Marshall Islands, Nauru, Niue, Palau, Samoa, Solomon Islands, Tokelau, Tonga, Tuvalu and Vanuatu.

Disclaimer:
By submitting a video/using the hashtag you give permission for the UN and its agencies in the Pacific to repost your content or excerpts from it, when related to the Healthy Youth, Healthy Future' campaign.

05/03/2026

Dengue is a viral disease spread by mosquitoes 🦟 that often bite during the day.

Protect yourself and your family by:
✅ Using mosquito repellent
✅ Wearing long‑sleeved clothing
✅ Sleeping under a mosquito net
✅ Regularly emptying or covering water containers around your home where mosquitoes can breed

Reducing mosquito bites and removing breeding sites are key to preventing dengue and protecting your family and community.

02/03/2026

From home to the classroom, early hearing care supports every child’s development. 👂🏽

Parents and teachers are often the first to notice when a child may have an ear or hearing problem. Look out for signs such as frequent requests to repeat what you say, struggles at school, ear pain or discharge, or delayed speech.

If you notice these signs, take the child to a health worker for an ear and hearing assessment. Early identification and care can protect a child’s learning, development, and future opportunities.

25/02/2026

Last week, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, visited Samoa for a three‑day mission focused on Pacific‑led science and collaboration.

The visit included engagements with national leaders and partners, and discussions on strengthening health and well-being across Samoa.

23/02/2026

No one should have to choose between the medicines they need and other essential needs.

In many places, people still face difficulties accessing medicines, whether due to cost or limited availability or accessibility. These barriers can be especially tough for those already managing limited household budgets. Globally, over half of out-of-pocket health expenses are spent on medicines.

Universal health coverage means everyone can get the care they need without financial hardship. Progress is being made, but major gaps remain. Investing in affordable and reliable access to medicines and strong health systems is essential.

20/02/2026

The Ministry of Health Samoa is leading a stakeholder consultation today in Apia to support the annual State Parties Self-Assessment Annual Reporting (SPAR) process. The consultation engages partners from multiple sectors and is supported technically by WHO.

SPAR is an annual self-assessment and reporting tool under the International Health Regulations (IHR 2005) that supports countries in measuring national capacities to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. The process promotes a multisectoral approach, recognizing that strong preparedness and response rely on coordinated action across government, agencies and partners.

As part of the stakeholder consultation, participants engaged in thematic breakout group discussions to share perspectives and contribute to a collective assessment of national capacities.

“I encourage you to approach this consultation with openness and honesty,” said the Chief Executive Officer for Health, June Scanlan Lui, during her opening remarks. “This is not about scoring higher. It is about understanding where we are and what we need to improve. Strong systems are built on accurate information and shared accountability.”

This collaborative approach supports evidence-based planning and continued strengthening of systems that protect the health and well-being of people and communities in Samoa, aligned with the country’s National Action Plan for Health Security 2025–2029.

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol

18/02/2026

INVESTING IN SAMOA’S FUTURE HEALTH WORKFORCE

As part of his visit to Samoa, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, visited the School of Medicine at The National University of Samoa (NUS), where he met with university leadership, faculty and students. The visit highlighted the central role of the School of Medicine in training doctors within Samoa, closely connected to the national health system and the communities they will serve.

During the visit, Dr Saia delivered a brief address where he emphasized that strong health systems depend on a resilient, skilled and compassionate workforce, and commended NUS for its leadership in strengthening Samoa’s medical education pipeline. He reaffirmed WHO’s longstanding partnership with NUS, including support through technical guidance, quality assurance and the WHO Fellowship Programme, and expressed WHO’s continued commitment to building a confident and capable health workforce in the region. Dr Saia also encouraged the students to remain dedicated to their training and reminded them of the critical role they will play in serving Samoa and the wider Pacific.

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol

17/02/2026

Samoa launches One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response project and vital health guidelines and plans 🇼🇸

Today, the Government of Samoa officially launched the One Health Pandemic Preparedness and Response project, supported through a US$ 4.75 million grant from the Pandemic Fund. The initiative brings together the Ministry of Health Samoa, the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries - Samoa, and the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment Samoa, with support from the World Bank Pacific, FAO Pacific and WHO.

The project aims to expand surveillance, enhance human and animal health laboratories, improve early warning systems, and build a skilled multisectoral workforce ready to respond when new threats emerge.

The launch also marked the introduction of key national guidelines and plans that reinforce Samoa’s preparedness and health system resilience, including the National Antimicrobial Guidelines 2026, the updated National Infection Prevention and Control Guidelines, and the National Surgical, Obstetric and Anaesthesia Plan.

The WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, and the WHO Representative to Samoa, Dr Wendy Snowdon, joined national partners during the launch. In his remarks, Dr Piukala highlighted that pandemics do not respect borders or sectors, and that Samoa’s investment in preparedness, alongside strong systems such as infection prevention and control, antimicrobial stewardship and essential surgical care, is critical to protecting lives, communities and the economy.

Congratulations to the Government of Samoa and all partners for this important milestone!

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol

17/02/2026

The WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, met with the Samoa United Nations Country Team in Apia, led by the UN Resident Coordinator Karla Robin Hershey, to discuss shared priorities across Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. Discussions focused on coordinated UN action to address climate resilience, noncommunicable diseases, food and nutrition security, and the strengthening of essential services, as reflected in the Country Implementation Plans for 2025–2027.

During the meeting, Dr Saia underscored that partnership is critical in the Pacific, where challenges are interconnected, and solutions must be woven together across sectors. He thanked the resident and non-resident UN agencies in Samoa for their collective efforts, and reaffirmed WHO’s commitment to working closely with the UN Country Team to reduce duplication, maximize impact, and support governments through aligned priorities and joint action towards the Sustainable Development Goals.

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol

16/02/2026

Samoa 🤝 WHO collaboration

Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, met with the Prime Minister, Honourable La’aulialemalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Fosi Schmidt, today to discuss national priorities for strengthening health and wellbeing across Samoa.

The Hon Prime Minister highlighted that health remains a key priority for the Government of Samoa, including efforts to address major health challenges and build resilient, people‑centred health services for communities. Discussions also covered Samoa's planned hosting of the Pacific Health Ministers Meeting in 2027 and the shared commitment to advancing the vision for a healthier, more resilient Pacific.

The Regional Director reaffirmed WHO’s support through technical cooperation and close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and the WHO country office in Apia.

The meeting underscored the Government of Samoa's commitment to a healthier society and country, and the vital role of strong partnerships in achieving that shared goal.

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol

16/02/2026

Today, the WHO Regional Director for the Western Pacific, Dr Saia Ma’u Piukala, held his first meeting with Samoa’s new Minister of Health, Honourable Va’aaoao Salumalo Alofipo, in Apia.

The discussion centred on Samoa’s current and longer-term health priorities, including enhancing health security, addressing noncommunicable diseases, and building a resilient health system. The Minister and the Regional Director also exchanged views on preparations for the Pacific Health Ministers Meeting in 2027, as well as Samoa’s participation in WHO regional and global health forums.

This engagement is part of the Regional Director’s official visit to Samoa, his first mission back to the Pacific in 2026. Pacific island nations are a priority for Dr Saia, originally from Tonga himself, and the first WHO Regional Director from the Pacific.

Our island countries may have small populations, but our health challenges and priorities are wide-ranging and complex. As WHO, we seek to leave no one behind – striving to achieve .

Ministry of Health Samoa

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol