NUS School of Medicine - SOM

17/09/2026

Our Faculty new building on the way.

30/08/2026

🎉 New Student Research Publication🎉
The School of Medicine is pleased to congratulate Dr Matetaumanuma Loau and supervisors on the publication of their original research in the Journal of Pacific Research – Pacific Health Dialog.
Dr Loau is a recent MBBS graduate of the school and now an intern doctor at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH).
Their paper, “Clinical characteristics, management, and outcomes of obstructive sleep apnoea (OSA) among adult inpatients at Samoa’s national referral hospital: a retrospective clinical audit,” examines the clinical presentation, risk factors, management, and outcomes of patients with OSA admitted to Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital (TTMH).
This work provides valuable local evidence on OSA in Samoa and highlights the importance of early screening, improved clinical documentation, and context-specific approaches to OSA management.
Importantly, this marks the second research publication arising from the work of our medical students, reflecting the School of Medicine’s continued commitment to strengthening research and evidence-based practice as part of medical training.
Congratulations again to Dr Loau and supervisors on this achievement!
Each publication strengthens the pathway for our students to turn locally driven research into evidence that can improve health and healthcare in Samoa and across the Pacific.

Read the full article: https://pacifichealthdialog.nz/index.php/phd/issue/view/23/38

21/08/2026

New Research Publication | School of Medicine

The School of Medicine is pleased to share a newly published research article by our academic staff member Dr Keresoma Leaupepe, co-authored with Fuimaono Darryl Pupi, in BMC Public Health.

“Selected food availability and sugar-related imports as indicators of dietary transition in Samoa, 2010–2023”

This research was also recently presented by Dr Leaupepe at the Pasifika Medical Association (PMA) Conference, providing an opportunity to share the findings with Pacific health professionals, researchers and colleagues and contribute to wider discussions on food systems, nutrition transition and the prevention of non-communicable diseases across the Pacific.

The study examines changes in Samoa's national food environment over a 14-year period using national food-availability and international trade data. It identifies important shifts in selected food indicators, including a substantial decline in the availability of selected traditional root crops, increasing vegetable-oil availability, persistently high sugar availability, and substantial growth in non-alcoholic beverage imports.

These findings provide contemporary evidence of changes in Samoa's food environment that are consistent with the broader nutrition transition occurring across Pacific Island countries. While the study does not measure individual dietary intake or establish causal relationships with non-communicable diseases, it highlights the importance of strengthening local food systems, promoting healthier food environments, and improving surveillance across health, agriculture and trade.

The research provides timely evidence that can contribute to ongoing discussions on nutrition policy, food systems and the prevention of diet-related non-communicable diseases in Samoa and the wider Pacific.

The article is now available online through BMC Public Health as an open-access, peer-reviewed publication.

Congratulations to Dr Leaupepe and Fuimaono Darryl Pupi on this important contribution to Pacific public health research.

Read the article in BMC Public Health
https://link.springer.com/article/10.1186/s12889-026-28958-x

10/08/2026

God is Good all the time 🙏🏼 Congratulations and welcome onboard our Final Year Medical Elective student from the University of Ulm, Germany 🇩🇪 Thank you so much for choosing the National University of Samoa 🇼🇸 Faculty of Health Science - School of Medicine for your final clinical attachments studies 👏 at the TTMH Moto'otua Hospital in the following ward:

* General Surgery

The NUS Management team, Doctors, Clinical Supervisors, staff and students wish you all the best with your studies and enjoying your staying with us 💖 Cheers and God bless 🙌

10/08/2026

E lelei le Ali'i i taimi uma lava 🙏🏼 MBBS Year 4 students final clinical attachments for this year 2026 at the TTMH Moto'otua Hospital commence today, Tuesday 11th August for ten (10) weeks ❤️ at the following units:

* Internal Medicine

* Surgery

All the best and good luck from the NUS Management team, staff, doctors and students 👏 Take care and God bless 🙌

06/08/2026

NUS School of Medicine Management Team, Staff and Students attend the Special Assembly to welcome the Honourable Prime Minister, Laaulialimalietoa Leuatea Polataivao Schmidt and Cabinet visit this afternoon at 12noon, Thursday, 6th August 2026. Vi'ia le Ali'i ua i'u ma le manuia lenei fa'amoemoe taua. Fa'afetai.

06/08/2026