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Preventive Heart Care Initiative - New Directions for 2011/12

The Trust has under its purposes a mandate to contribute to primary and secondary heart health care in Samoa ( 4.2 To undertake other charitable and community projects to reduce heart disease in the poor and needy in Western Samoa )

With the deferral of this year’s heart surgery mission due service interruption with construction of the new national Hospital in Samoa, the Trustees are excited to announce initiation of project planning for 2011/12 to assist in preventive heart care in Samoa in the fight against both rheumatic and coronary heart disease.

The Trustees have commenced discussions with the Chairman of the Samoa NHS Board Tupuola Oloialii Koki Tuala and with Dr Don Mackie Chief Medical Officer at Middlemore Hospital seeking assistance for guidance on small to medium project primary and secondary heart health care options for the Trust for 2011/12

Options that the trust has discussed include:

  • Sending teams to Samoa to screen for RHD
    • Targeting primary and secondary schools
    • Workshops for local medical staff
  • Education support –
    • Schools, Church groups
    • Knowledge / resource sharing with NZ National Heart Foundation
  • Provision of a vehicle for primary care staff

The fundraising committee will have it’s first meeting for the year on March 20 to discuss fundraising activities for the coming year.

Tim Willcox

Trustee