North Shore NewsWhen state health officials asked for assistance last month in dealing with the deadly measles outbreak in Samoa, Kahuku Medical Center (KMC) nurses and staff quickly answered the call.
KMC nurses Diane Hale, Robyn Falemalu, Caridad Vila and Wilfred Husman were among 55 Hawaii nurses and 10 doctors that made he trip to Samoa along with a support staff to deliver much-needed immunizations and health care. The two-day medical mission was spearheaded by Lt. Governor Josh Green and state health officials.
By the time the Hawaii medial team arrived in Samoa on December 4, the measles outbreak had already killed 60 people. When the team arrived at the first village, they learned an infant infected with measles had just died.
Overall, the Hawaii team helped immunize over 40,000 Samoan residents during the medical mission.
By December 6, most of the Hawaii team members were back home. Because of the connections made there, Hale said KMC is considering being a sister facility to one of the district medical centers there.