Samoa has today become the first Pacific Island country to develop a National Action Plan for Health Security (NAPHS), led by the Ministry of Health (MOH), with funding support from the World Bank and technical assistance from the World Health Organization (WHO). The launch of the NAPHS marks a major milestone in strengthening the nation’s preparedness for health emergencies, protecting the health of its people and guiding investments in health security.
Samoa faces unique challenges, including heightened vulnerability to the impacts of climate change. Building on hard-won lessons from the 2019 measles outbreak and the COVID-19 pandemic, the plan serves as a roadmap for further strengthening its health system, making clear which priorities make the country more resilient, adaptable, and ready to withstand future health emergencies.
“This Action Plan is not merely a policy document; it is a declaration of our resolve to protect our communities, continue to invest in robust infrastructures, and harness innovation to confront challenges head-on,” said Honourable Valasi Luapitofanua To’ogamaga Tafito Selesele, Minister of Health, during his opening remarks about the newly developed plan.
What is the National Action Plan for Health Security?
Imagine a country preparing for recurring threats like influenza or dengue fever — where should the country start? Should it invest first in capacity-building for health professionals, strengthen disease surveillance, or develop new operational guidance? And what resources will be needed?
The NAPHS provides the answers. It serves as a detailed, country-owned roadmap, setting priorities and outlining the steps required to strengthen Samoa’s ability to prevent, detect, and respond to public health threats. Built in line with the Asia Pacific Health Security Action Framework (APHSAF), Samoa’s broader national development priorities, and a One Health approach, the plan fosters collaboration across sectors and communities, setting priorities to better understand where to allocate resources.
“Samoa’s leadership in health security planning sets an inspiring example for the Pacific islands and beyond, demonstrating that with vision, partnership, and determination, even the smallest nations can build a comprehensive plan for a resilient health system for generations to come. It represents collaboration, foresight, and the hard work of many across government and partners,” said Dr Nuha Mahmoud, Acting Head of the WHO Representative Office for Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau. Samoa’s NAPHS follows the Joint External Evaluation (JEE) of national health security capacities required by the International Health Regulations (IHR), conducted in the country two years ago.
During the 2023 JEE, international experts worked closely with Samoa’s health and government teams to assess capacities across 19 technical areas. The evaluation generated over 80 recommendations, alongside five cross-cutting national recommendations focused on coordination, workforce strengthening, and building resilience across the health system. The top recommendation was clear: develop a five-year, risk-based, costed, and prioritized National Action Plan for Health Security, aligned with existing national strategies and budgets, and anchored by a strong monitoring and evaluation framework.
The process of JEE and the following NAPHS development has been a collaborative effort involving 15 ministries, state-owned enterprises, and nearly 100 experts across sectors. Following initial consultations in May last year, Samoa hosted a final multisectoral validation workshop earlier this year in March to ensure that the Action Plan truly reflects the needs and priorities of the Samoan people.
Despite the progress, challenges remain. However, partners such as Australia, New Zealand, and global initiatives such as the Pandemic Fund hosted by the World Bank, continue to work alongside Samoa in health security.
As the Honourable Minister of Health of Samoa concluded during the launch event: “Health security is not simply the absence of disease — it is the presence of hope, unity, and resilience in the face of adversity. May our collective actions inspire confidence, foster innovative thinking, and ultimately save lives.”
Media Contacts
Tagaloa Dr Robert Thomsen
Deputy Director General – Public Health Services
Ministry of Health, Samoa
Mobile: +6857676015
Email: robertt@health.gov.ws
Ms Faizza Tanggol
Communications for Partnerships Officer
WHO Representative Office in Samoa, American Samoa, Cook Islands, Niue and Tokelau
Telephone: +685 764 3052
Mobile: +63 998 573 1357
Email: tanggolf@who.int