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

15/04/2026

This week, the Ministry of Health Samoa led an assessment of the Health Emergency Operations Centre (HEOC) to strengthen national readiness for health emergencies, with technical support from the World Health Organization (WHO) and the Australian Government, through the National Critical Care and Trauma Response Centre's Public Health Operations in Emergencies for National Strengthening in the Indo-Pacific (PHOENIX) program.

The HEOC is central to coordinating action during outbreaks and other public health threats. Strengthening HEOC functions helps ensure faster decisions, smoother information and data flow, and better cross‑agency coordination when communities need it most.

This assessment, using WHO tools and methodology, builds on Samoa’s ongoing health security work, including the Joint External Evaluation and the National Action Plan for Health Security, turning national priorities into practical improvements. Findings will help guide future HEOC strengthening activities, including training and exercises planned this year.

Photos © WHO / Faizza Tanggol

14/04/2026

Preventing obesity requires action beyond individual choices.
Countries can reduce risks by:
✅ Improving access to healthy food
✅ Regulating unhealthy food marketing
✅ Promoting physical activity
✅ Supporting children to develop healthy habits early in life

These actions help shape healthier environments and reduce the risk of obesity across the life-course.

12/04/2026

Advances in science and technology are reshaping health across the Pacific.

From telemedicine connecting people in remote islands to doctors, to point-of-care diagnostics that bring testing and results closer to communities, to wearables that help us track our health, and AI speeding up the discovery of new treatments, science is making health care more accessible for everyone.

How has science and technology improved your health or your family’s health? Share your story and stand with others across the Pacific.

10/04/2026

From vaccines to safe water and reliable health advice, science helps protect families and communities across the Pacific.

How has science and public health made a difference in your life? Share your story and stand with others across the Pacific.

09/04/2026

Join our WHO Samoa team as a National Professional Officer (Vaccine Preventable Diseases)! 💉

We are looking for an experienced public health professional to strengthen immunization and vaccine‑preventable disease programmes. This locally recruited role will support countries and partners through technical expertise and evidence‑based public health action.

Apply now to be part of WHO’s work to protect lives through immunization: https://bit.ly/NOCVPD. The extended application deadline is 30 April 2026.

08/04/2026

Human health is closely linked to the health of animals and the environment. The COVID-19 pandemic demonstrated how rapidly diseases can spread across species and borders.

In the Pacific, outbreaks of dengue and foodborne illnesses remind us that protecting people means caring for animals and our planet. Most new diseases affecting humans now come from animals, and climate change is making these risks even greater.

The solution? Working together. The One Health approach brings people from health, animal, and environmental sectors to the same table, so we can prevent and respond faster and smarter to threats.

Strong leadership and political commitment are essential because protecting people means protecting animals and the planet we share.

07/04/2026

Today is World Health Day, with the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

Dr Wendy Snowdon, WHO Representative to Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau, shares her reflections on the importance of science and evidence in protecting health across our Pacific communities — especially in a time when misinformation and disinformation can threaten trust and delay access to care. From vaccines and safe water to infection prevention and control, science has helped save lives in the Pacific and worldwide.

Read Dr Snowdon’s opinion editorial to learn how everyone can play a part to and towards 👇🏽

World Health Day is observed globally every 7 April, and is a day to recognize all those who work in health care worldwide and the importance of health for all. This year’s theme is “Together for health. Stand with science,” celebrating the power of scientific collaboration to protect the heal...

06/04/2026

It’s World Health Day, a moment to recognize health workers as ambassadors of science.

Today, let’s meet Daru Heaven Faanimo Isaia, a perioperative nurse at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Samoa 🇼🇸.

In the operating theatre, science guides every aspect of her work, from preparing patients for surgery and supporting the surgical team to monitoring recovery after the operation. As an ambassador of science, Heaven helps turn evidence into action, ensuring safer surgeries and better care for every patient.

05/04/2026

Tomorrow is World Health Day, with the theme “Together for health. Stand with science.”

Health decisions must be guided by evidence. In a world where misinformation and disinformation can spread quickly, it’s more important than ever to turn to trusted, science-based sources.

Science is not abstract. It’s what protects you, your family, and your community every day.

Turn to trusted, science-based sources to:
💠 Protect your health
💠 Prevent disease
💠 Seek treatment and recovery

💙

01/04/2026

📢 ICYMI: Applications for the National Professional Officer (Vaccine Preventable Diseases) position close on 4 April 2026.

This vacancy is open for local recruitment only. Details and application link are in the post below 👇🏽

Passionate about public health? The WHO multi-country office in Samoa is seeking a National Professional Officer (NO-C) for vaccine-preventable diseases. Scan the QR code or visit https://bit.ly/474ruNj to apply. The deadline for applications is 4 April 2026.

01/04/2026

Most oral diseases, including tooth decay, gum disease, and oral cancers, are preventable. These conditions affect people across the life-course and can cause pain, infection, and tooth loss if left untreated.

Simple daily habits, like brushing with fluoride toothpaste, eating well, limiting sugar, and avoiding to***co and alcohol, can help protect your oral health.

30/03/2026

Today, the Ministry of Health Samoa is leading a three-day National Notifiable Disease List Review and Zoonotic Disease Prioritization multisectoral workshop, bringing together representatives from human health, animal health, environmental sectors, and key partners. The workshop aims to strengthen Samoa’s disease surveillance and early warning systems through a approach, and is being conducted with technical support from the World Health Organization and with funding support from the Asian Development Bank.

Opening the workshop, Acting Deputy Director General for Public Health, Leatigaga Siufaga Simi, highlighted the critical role of surveillance in protecting population health during her welcome remarks. “Effective disease surveillance is a fundamental public health function and a key responsibility of the Ministry of Health,” she said. “This workshop provides an important opportunity to ensure that our national surveillance system remains responsive, practical, and aligned with Samoa’s context, while also meeting our obligations under the International Health Regulations (2005).” She also emphasized the importance of collaboration across sectors, noting that many emerging and re-emerging health threats arise at the interface between humans, animals, and the environment.

Prioritizing a national notifiable disease list helps ensure that surveillance systems remain relevant as disease risks evolve. By reviewing and updating the National Notifiable Disease List and identifying priority zoonotic diseases, Samoa is strengthening its ability to detect health threats early, guide timely public health action, and make strategic use of resources to safeguard the health and well-being of its people.

Photos: WHO / Faizza Tanggol