Government health efforts in Samoa are focusing on recovery, as demand for acute and emergency surgery decreases.
Health Minister Tony Ryall said yesterday plans were in place for working out what help would be required to help the Samoan health system as it struggles to get back on its feet.
It is two weeks since the massive earthquake struck, triggering devastating tsunamis that killed more than 180 people and flattened villages.
A rebuilding programme is under way, and New Zealand has pledged $6.1 million for essential services and infrastructure such as housing, water, power and roads.
"We are continuing to rotate staff up to Samoa, and this will carry on for some weeks yet," Mr Ryall said.
Demand for emergency medicine had decreased, but staff were seeing 100-130 people a day at field clinics.
Ongoing wound care and plastic surgery continued to keep hospital staff busy, and psychologists and psychiatrists were co-ordinating psycho-social support.
Since September 29, 43 New Zealand medical personnel have been deployed through district health boards and the Ministry of Health. Twenty-eight personnel are there now.
This number will reduce to 20 as demand for services reduces and Samoan health providers are able to cope.
New Zealand sent more than three tonnes of medical equipment, supplies and medications.
It is reassessing an arrangement with Samoa to support its health system - by providing access to specialist care - to look at how it can be best used over the coming year.
Meanwhile, New Zealand aid for tsunami survivors in Tonga has arrived off the island of Niuatoputapu on board HMNZS Canterbury.
The ship has anchored west of the island and helicopters and inflatable boats have been used to ferry aid and supplies to shore.
Crew members have carried out reconnaissance for using landing craft to move further supplies to the island today. Canterbury's helicopter storage hangar is full of aid, including items donated by New Zealand Tongans.
Commanding officer Jim Gilmour said the Canterbury was very important to the recovery of Niuatoputapu.
The ship will next head to Samoa and is expected there tomorrow morning with 12 containers of aid.
- NZPA
How to donate to tsunami relief operations:
Pacific Cooperation Foundation
Deposits can be made at at any Westpac branch. All the money raised will go to the Samoan Government
Red Cross
- Make a secure online donation at redcross.org.nz
- Send cheques to the Samoan Red Cross Fund, PO Box 12140, Thorndon, Wellington 6144
- Call 0900 31 100 to make an automatic $20 donation
- Make a donation at any NZ Red Cross office
ANZ bank
Make a donation at any ANZ bank branch, or donate directly to the ANZ appeal account: 01 1839 0143546 00
Oxfam
- Make a secure online donation at Oxfam.org.nz
- Phone 0800 400 666 or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 600 20
Caritas
- Make a secure online donation at Caritas.org.nz
- Phone 0800 22 10 22 or make an automatic $20 donation by calling 0900 4 11 11
TEAR fund
- Make a secure online donation at tearfund.co.nz
- Phone 0800 800 777 to specify Samoa the Philippines or Indonesia. You can also donate at CD and DVD stores.
Mercury Energy
- Donate at mercury.co.nz
or text the word Samoa followed by the amount you wish to pledge and your Mercury account number to 515 or by calling 0800 10 18 10.
Habitat for Humanity
Habitat for Humanity is asking for help with the clean-up habitat.org.nz
Unicef
Make a secure online donation unicef.org.nz
or phone on 0800 800 194
