By Mataeliga Pio Sioa
The Director General of Health, Leausa Dr. Take Naseri, has officially ended his contract as head of Ministry and has decided to ‘move on’ rather than re-apply for his old job.
His 3-year contract ended last Saturday and has opted out of seeking a normal extension until a new appointment for his position is made.
“I believe it is time for me to move on,” Leausa revealed in confirmation of his decision to step down.
“I have done my service these many years as a servant of the country and am not getting any younger, the time to make any future moves is now.”
Leausa took annual leave he had left in the last few weeks remaining of his contract and spent some of the time considering his options.
He has since started working to set up office for a private medical practice.
His transition into the private sector ended the last 8 years of his public service career as the top health official in one of the two key sectors, along with education, earmarked for development in Samoa.
More importantly, Leausa leaves behind a rare medical legacy that started with the measles epidemic of 2019 and the COVID 19 pandemic to follow in 2020.
He was at the health helm when these events of historical significance swept across the country with the urgent need to bring them under control to protect innocent lives.
The measles epidemic took many young lives until a decisive national health vaccination campaign brought a quick end and much needed life saving relief to the country.
The relief, however, was short-lived with the follow up, back-to-back, threat of the corona virus global pandemic.
Fortunately, the hard lessons from the measles epidemic showing the unhealthy effects of a country caught unprepared for an infectious virus, spared Samoa the early onslaught of the global virus.
The decision by Leausa and his health team stood out Samoa as the first country in the region to shut down frontline borders to international travel.
But the task came under fire quickly when it was seen at first to be radical. Criticisms were flying from everywhere in the community including the churches, but the undertaking kept Samoa free of the virus spreading out into the community for two years.
The health security measures were finally breached just over two months ago.
Lockdowns and other security measures, enforced under a series of national State of Emergency decrees followed.
For Leausa and his health team the greatest relief is having already prepared the country to respond well to the virus.
The COVID 19 health burden continues but under control.
The virus has already claimed 25 lives with more than 12,000 confirmed cases but the country is learning to make health changes for their own security without any end in sight so far to the pandemic.