The training of Samoan medical workers: the role of indigenous health care workers as part of New Zealand's public health development in Samoa from 1918-1928

Abstract

From 1918 to 1928, large cohorts of Samoan health workers began to emerge through public health policies set by the New Zealand colonial administration. A number of health training programmes of young Samoan women and men were established during this period. This research sought to uncover who these Samoan workers were, alongside their experiences as students. To investigate the development of public health in Samoa, the two notions of ma’i Samoa (Samoan sickness) and ma’i Palagi (foreign or introduced ailments), were explored to gain an understanding of the traditional and western health systems that were constantly at play. A gender imbalance was found in the literature, whereby commentaries surrounding Samoan nurses and the Komiti Tumāmā Women’s Committee were numerous, compared to their male counterparts. There was very little known about young Samoan men progressing through the Samoa based Medical Cadetship programme to enrol into medical courses at Central Medical School at Suva, Fiji - to become a Native Practitioner from 1925 to 1928. The title later changed to Native Medical Practitioner from 1927 onwards. As there was a scarcity of literature surrounding Samoans in these training schemes and their individual information, a deep dive into archival records and newspapers was undertaken to draw out more detailed commentaries. The analysis found that despite the growing protest against the New Zealand colonial administration in this period, the Samoa health training programmes continued to develop and grow due to the full support received from Samoan leaders and the villages they served in. Sadly, the individual narratives and identities have remained obscure in these primary sources. However, this study has brought to the forefront the stories of these Samoan health workers. As they were the original cohorts of health workers to provide health services amongst Samoans across rural districts, this research has established their presence in Samoa historical narratives. This thesis is the starting point for future research into Samoan health workers who were part of the first and pioneering generations that influenced and impacted public health initiatives.