How accurate is our census?

By Cherelle Jackson

The Samoan Census reports apart from the Crimes Ordinance and the Economic Performance reports ranks highest on my list of most informative and valuable research sources produced locally.
It is a good source for background information into any story or issue in Samoa, it is of course the main reference in terms of population, housing, employment and other important facts pertaining to the Samoan people.
The latest census however poses some questionable figures.
For instance, how accurate is the latest total population figure?
The total population in 2001 was 176,710, and in 2006 it increased to 179,186 that meant that in five years Samoas population noted a slight increase of 2476 residents.
Factors such as birth rate, death rate, migration patterns and of course the actual counting process itself can impact the accuracy of a census.
But the slight increase seems somewhat inaccurate based on Samoas consistent increase in birthrate and prolonged life expectancy.
The CIA Factbook, perhaps the most update source of basic country information estimated Samoas birthrate at 16.43 per 1000 people in 2006.
They projected a 72% increase in birthrate for 2007, the highest projection yet.
The Tupua Tamasese Meole II Hospital maternity ward records a maximum of 25 births a day, averaging at about 100 babies born per week and a 300 a month.
“There are 2000 to 3000 recorded births a year at the national hospital,” said one inside source.
According to the source, more than 70 new pregnancies are checked weekly at TTMHII for women from the Apia urban and surrounding areas.
If such statistics are correct than in five years there would have been an average of 12,500 births based on the birthrate statistics and estimates.
So why then, has there only been a 2476 increase in population?
In 2006, we were ranked 146 in death rates of the world thus indicating a low death rate.
Samoa posed an estimated 6.62 per 1000 population, a low number which was also projected to decrease by 11.18% this year.
So why has Samoas population gone fairly unscathed in the last five years?
Several people I have spoken to in regards to this editorial have said that they were not counted in last years census.
“I have four children, husband, a cousin with a wife and three children living in the same compound and we were all not counted,” said one Upolu resident.
On a more personal account, in my village of Safua Savaii, the 2001 population of 287 has decreased by four people according to the last census.
I find this hard to believe, considering three of the largest households have had more births in our villages than death, and there have generally been more people moving back into the village than moving out.
This of course is not meant to discredit the work of tireless surveyors and everyone at the Statistics Department involved in the creation of the Census, but I feel it is important to find out the exact reasons for such a slight change in total population.
Are the methods used accurate?
Was everyone counted?
It would be good at the end of the day, to know that everyone is represented in those precious digits which would resonate throughout the centuries as proof of our mere existence in Samoa.
In this case, even just 1 is an integral number.

$30 million increase in spending

By Cherelle Jackson

Government spending will increase by more than 20 million tala within the next financial year according to the Budget Summary General Estimates for 2007-2008.
The new Budget delivered in Parliament last week has seen a jump in overall spending under current and development expenditures.
The last financial year recorded an estimate of $420,000,000.00 in current expenditures; the next financial year will see an estimate of $470,000,000.00 a good $30million jump from the last budget.
The Ministry of Education, Sports and Culture is projected to spend the highest amount of funds, totaling to more than a $100 million tala in total expenditures.
Second highest expenditure of close to $70 million will be spent by the Ministry of Works, Transport and Infrastructure.
The Ministry of Health is due to spend close to $60 million within the next financial year.
Revenues expected amount to $554,334,406.00 a good $20 million more from the last financial year.
The highest estimated earnings will be made by the Ministry for Revenue, expecting close to $400 million in total ordinary revenue.
Following behind is Ministry of Finance at close to $50 million.
Ministry of education, Sports and Culture is projected to earn a little over $17 million within the next financial year.
Overall Samoa is expected to make SAT$945,940.00 surplus after borrowing.
The official start of the next financial year is the 30th of June.

Malietoa descendants threaten interim injunctions

By Cherelle Jackson

Descendants of the Malietoa title took matters to the Registrar of Lands and Titles Court yesterday regarding the proposed bestowment of the Malietoa title to Faamausili Papalii Moli, son of the late Malietoa Tanumafili II.
Sources say representatives from some families of Malietoa threatened to file interim injunctions to stop the ceremony which was planned for tomorrow.
“Descendants of one of the Malietoa families came forward yesterday to place interim injunctions on the planned title bestowment ceremony,” a source from the Lands and Titles Court said yesterday.
Due to the sensitivity of this issue, the names of those who spoke to Newsline have been withheld upon their request.
According to one of the family members, the planned Thursday title bestowment ceremony of the Malietoa title on Faamausili Papalii Moli Malietoa has caused friction amongst the descendants of the Malietoa title.
“We do not all agree with the decision,” said a family member who was present at yesterdays discussions with the Registrar.
According to the same source he was saddened that the decision for the next Malietoa was made so soon after the funeral of the late Malietoa.
“They could have waited until at least a year after,” he said.
“Some suggested that the ceremony be postponed, if not than the title be bestowed on three sulis (descendants) of the Malietoa title, instead of one,” he said.
The Registrar Tusipa Masinalupe confirmed to Newsline yesterday that the “petitioners” agreed to further discuss matters before taking further legal action.
According to him, the proposed interim injunctions come under Articles 49 and 50 of the Lands and Titles Act.
Earlier this week Newsline was informed by sources in the village of Sapapalii that the descendants there had agreed for Faamausili to receive the title of Malietoa.
Later these claims were refuted by other members of the Malietoa family.
Spokesman for the Tuamasaga, Mano’o Si’a Ulu
Faamausili had long been the Aide de Camp for the late Malietoa Tanumafili II, his father.
His personal and public achievements have earned him respect amongst members of the local community.
If continued as planned the title bestowment ceremony will take place on the eve of Governments announcement of the next Head of State of Samoa.

Illness and what constitutes an emergency

By Cherelle Jackson

[Newsline Newspaper Samoa] I have not been well recently, in fact I have been quite unwell, with one health problem after the next for almost four weeks straight, I am finally seeing the value in pain killers and good Doctors.
In the last month alone I have seen four doctors, including one in New Zealand visited one Hospital, four pharmacies and have taken an array of tablets for all sorts of ailments.
My experience lately has brought a new meaning to the phrase: “When it rains it pours,” because not only has it poured in terms of my health it has stormed like nothing I have seen before.
Being ill really makes one appreciate good health and life in general but perhaps most importantly good health services.
In that, I mean private Clinics, Hospital and Pharmacies.
In finding out I had an ailment which required a slight intrusion of ones privacy I opted for Asaua Doctors at Togafuafua, both female with a history in both private and public health there was no doubt in their expertise.
Le Fomai Clinic with Dr. Tala Ta’avao also proved effective especially armed with the expertise to conduct minor surgical procedures.
Marias Health Care Pharmacy was my one stop shop for prescription medicine in the first two weeks.
During the long weekend I found myself with a high fever combined with sore and swollen throat, it was Sunday morning in the midst of a holiday weekend.
My sister enlisted the assistance of my brother who will be graduating today with a Post Graduate Diploma in Midwifery, who better to take care of her two week old baby, while she drove me around to find a working Doctor.
Fortunately for me, the ever committed Dr. Joe Enosa was working in full force at Med Cen Hospital that day.
His reassuring words and accurate prescriptions provided immediate relief soon after.
We managed to find my prescribed medicine at The Drug Store ad Med Cen and at the Multipharm Pharmacy at Sogi.
Thankfully, both were open on Sunday.
In saying that, I am thankful that private health services are well equipped and resourced to serve those of us who experience some form of sickness after hours and during the holidays.
I did not have the patience or the energy to wait around in the public health system nor was my case qualified as an “emergency.”
As you may know the National Hospital only sees “Emergency” cases after certain hours.
But what constitutes an emergency?
Cardiac arrest and accidents are the common forms, but what if one needed immediate attention, with a high temperature or even severe physical and not necessarily visible pains?
Does ones internal organs have to be visible in order to be qualified as a case of “emergency”?
So far, there has been no visible description of what constitutes an emergency in accordance with the TTMHII consultation hours.
Perhaps it is time such rules were specified and options publicized for those needing medical attention after hours or during public holidays
Death like time, waits for no man, or Doctor for that matter.