05/11/2026
𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐇𝐄𝐀𝐋𝐓𝐇 𝐖𝐄𝐄𝐊 𝐌𝐀𝐑𝐊𝐄𝐃 𝐖𝐈𝐓𝐇 𝐅𝐑𝐄𝐄 𝐂𝐎𝐌𝐌𝐔𝐍𝐈𝐓𝐘 𝐒𝐂𝐑𝐄𝐄𝐍𝐈𝐍𝐆
By: Jasmine Netzler
The Government of Samoa through the Ministry of Health (M.O.H.) is preparing to celebrate National Health Week 2026.
The ministry is urging all members of the community to join them in commemorating this special week where free community health services and screening will be available.
The week is dedicated to health activities to raise awareness, promote healthy lifestyles, prevent illness and build strong, healthier communities across the country.
Celebrated for 20 years now, this year’s theme is: “Healthy Communities for All” and the Ministry is emphasising throughout the week the importance of visiting the doctor for a medical check-up, and early detection for treatment.
But, medical check-ups don’t always have to be just for when you feel sick, a round of monthly visits to the doctor can lead to early detection of an underlying medical condition, early treatment and prevention if nothing is found.
Organised to take place from November, Monday 9 until November, Friday 13, the celebration will include visits by the Ministry of Health to constituencies and communities.
This year’s commemorations will be officially open at Sapāpāli’i Savaii with the Minister of Health Va’aaoao Salumālō Alofipō scheduled to deliver the keynote address.
A program for constituencies and villages will then be rolled out starting from Sapāpāli’I to Fa’asaleleaga and Pu’apu’a.
Free community screenings and medical check-ups will be available to the general public and available from November, Monday 9 at the E.F.K.S. Hall at Sapāpāli’I and at Pu’apu’a on November, Tuesday 10 at the E.F.K.S. Hall.
And the Ministry is urging the country to take advantage of these opportunities when the program visits their villages.
Following programs in Savai’i the ministry will head to Upolu and will start their community visits from Ā’ana and is available on November, Thursday 12 at Fasitoo-Tai E.F.K.S. Hall.
Free Health Screenings and services will be available for Non-Communicable Diseases (diabetes, blood pressure and other chronic diseases), Vaccinations, Dental, Eye and Ears, Nose and throat (E.N.T.), screenings for cervical cancer and kidney, and rehabilitation services.
Health education will also be carried out during these visits to the villages and constituencies to ensure that members of the community are aware of preventative measures to keep them protected from contracting diseases.
The ministry has also organised for Friday 13 a half day of sports for all government ministries and Public Enterprises for promoting workplace wellness, physical activity and healthy lifestyles among public servants and health partners.
There will also be a Gala night on this day, a community celebration recognising partners’ contributions to immunization, and the launch of the Immunization Demand Generation Strategy and Cold Chain Strategy.
Leatigaga Siufaga Simi, A.C.E.O. National Programs, Wellness and Health Promotions in an exclusive interview with Savali News revealed that previous National Health Week celebrations were marked with stakeholders and partners.
This year’s commemorations differ however as the ministry will be taking the program to communities and districts, and aligns well with the theme of healthier communities.
According to Leatigaga, the National Health Week is an initiative by the Government of Samoa and supported by the Ministry of Health and partners, marked on the second week of November every year.
She said it was also very fitting that the celebration falls this month given that Samoa is experiencing the effects of the El Niño season which is causing many diseases due to changes in the climate.
Leatigaga also revealed that Samoa is experiencing an increase in non-communicable diseases (N.C.D.s) and infectious diseases.
The A.C.E.O. encourages the whole country to take advantage of this celebration for the opportunity to access free medical services for the whole family.
Chief Nursing and Midwifery Officer Fauātea Seumanu Henry Taylor spoke about the roll out of the program for the week.
But is also appeals to everyone to take advantage of free medical examinations and check-ups so that serious illnesses are detected before they become fatal.
