Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

Veteran government doctor in Samoa returns to work after failed strike

Posted at 20:20 on 19 December, 2005 UTC

The oldest member of the Samoa Medical Association, Vui Doctor Vaiouga Levi is returning to work for the government.

He was one the 23 doctors who resigned after a lengthy strike.

The 78-year-old doctor has told the Samoa Observer that the association has accepted his decision.

Vui said he still supported the reasons for the strike and the decision to resign in order to avoid being dismissed.

But he says he has seen the suffering of the people needing doctors and he wants to serve them.

He says it’s his duty to God to help treat the people.

Another senior doctor and the president-elect of the Samoa Medical Association, Toleafoa Doctor Viali Lameko, is also reported to be returning to work at the national hospital in Moto’otua, along with another unidentified member of the association.