Radio New Zealand - Te Reo Irirangi o Aotearoa

No details about second operation of American Samoan governor

Posted at 01:54 on 16 January, 2008 UTC

It’s unclear why the American Samoan governor had to have surgery again.

Togiola Tulafono was admitted to the LBJ Hospital more than a week ago for an appendectomy, but he had to have a second operation yesterday.

Our correspondent in Pago Pago, Monica Miller, says his office is tightlipped about the reason for his second hospitalisation.

“The hospital has referred all inquiries to the governor’s office and the only announcement that has been made does not give any details of why this was necessary. All we have learned from medical personnel is that the governor was in pain, so this is why they had to put him through surgery again.”

Monica Miller says the governor is in a stable condition and is reportedly feeling better.

He is now in the Intensive Care Unit for observation.