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OFFICE OF THE GOVERNOR – American Samoa
PRESS RELEASE
(for immediate release – Saturday, December 29, 2007)
Contact: click here to email newsroom
(684) 633-4116 - Fax: (684) 633-2269 - Cell: (684) 731-8989
Gov. Togiola says doctors need to licensed, “it’s the law”
(UTULEI) - Governor Togiola Tulafono, on his weekly radio program this morning, says doctors need to be licensed. It is the law.
“Doctors, like all medical practitioners, nurses, lawyers and engineers, need to be licensed. It is the law,” said Governor Togiola. “Credentials are set by the regulatory board for medical doctors to meet in order to be employed at LBJ Hospital.”
Governor Togiola said some people are questioning why current doctors need to take examinations to be employed as doctors at LBJ, and no one is questioning why nurses are required to pass either the Licensed Practical Nurse or Registered Nurse exam.
“The difficulty of hiring professional doctors from off-island has caused LBJ Hospital officials to not follow the current law regulating licenses for doctors,” said Governor TogIola. “This controversy is now becoming political, yet, it should not be. This concerns the lives of our people.”
Governor Togiola’s position is to follow the law. He said all practitioners need to be licensed.
“If someone sues LBJ Hospital for medical malpractice, the hospital does not pay the court’s ruling. ASG does,” said Governor Togiola.
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