“Efforts to improve public health systems are especially critical at this time,” Congressman Faleomavaega said.  “The threats of terrorism and the emergence of new diseases such as SARS and West Nile Virus threaten our nation and underscore the need for a robust plan to respond in the event of an emergency.  This is why I am pleased that Congress has authorized the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to send ASG more than $1.15 million to assist us in our local efforts to build a stronger health care system.”

         “The $1.15 million will be awarded in two HHS interrelated cooperative agreements.  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) focuses on public health system preparedness and will award American Samoa’s Department of Health over $553,000 to address bioterrorism, infectious disease outbreaks, surveillance and epidemiology, biological and chemical lab capacity, communications technology, health information dissemination, education and training and small pox preparedness planning.”  

         “The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will award the American Samoa Health Department nearly $602,000 to develop “surge capacity” to deal with mass casualty events.  For example, funds could be used to increase the number of hospital beds, develop isolation facilities, increase health care personnel, establish hospital-based pharmaceutical stocks, provide mental health services, trauma and burn care, and communications and personal protective equipment.”

         “Given American Samoa’s need to upgrade its public health care system, I am pleased that Congress has once again awarded us funding to assist us in our efforts.  As a result of this funding, I am also hopeful that American Samoa’s Department of Health will be better equipped to continue with emergency planning and hospital readiness,” the Congressman concluded.