A member of parliament has called on the government to consider setting aside a boat for medical emergencies after a critically ill patient from Savai‘i was transported to Upolu in a small vessel because the ferry scheduled to depart was cancelled.
Namulauulu Sami Leota, the Member of Parliament for Fa'asaleleaga No. 3 and chairman of Lakapi Samoa, raised the issue in Parliament on Monday, saying there had been an incident involving the ferry service on Sunday.
“Yesterday, there was an incident involving the ferry that was travelling over because there were patients who had been brought from Savai‘i by ambulance. However, there was a patient who needed treatment and needed to be brought over urgently, but the ferry was not due to arrive until 3 o’clock. So that patient was brought over on the small boat and was taken to Apia because the ferry would only arrive at 3 o’clock,” Namulauulu said.
“There is nothing wrong with this, but I simply appeal to you, Honourable Prime Minister, our company, and the Government, as to whether we could have a special boat set aside for situations like these so that patients can be transported more quickly. We also had our helicopter before, especially for those who are seriously ill and need this kind of assistance.
