Finding cures for serious deseases in Samoa has been given a boost with the opening of the country’s first Biodiscovery Centre.
Samoa Observer said the center is located at the Scientific Research Organisation of Samoa (S.R.O.S), and Prime Minister, Tuilaepa Sailele Dr. Malielegaoi, said the center would address health challenges of the highest order – including cancer.
Tuilaepa also pointed to the steady rise in statistics for non-communicable diseases such as diabetes which is a leading cause of blindness, kidney failure, heart attacks, stroke and lower limb amputations.
The government provided funding of $250,000 for the facility, which was approved by Cabinet in April 2019.
S.R.O.S has worked with the Ministry of Finance to establish the center.
It will focus on the identification of anti-cancer and anti-diabetic agents derived from natural products according to the Prime Minister.
“The center provides an opportunity for Samoa to lead and carry out its’ own bio-medical discoveries,” he said.
He said the local solutions will be highly beneficial to Samoa’s development.
“These types of research have the potential to put Samoa on the map as a Pacific leader in realising the health and economic potential of our natural resources” said Tuilaepa.
The PM commended the partnership between S.R.O.S. and the Maurice Wilton Center, a world class center based in New Zealand known for making exciting scientific discoveries in biomedical research.
