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Meessen B, Ancia A, Gill D, LaFoucade A, Lalta S, Sandoval G, Waqa G. When one size does not fit all: aid and health system strengthening for Small Island Developing States. Health Policy Plan 2024; 39:i4-i8. [PMID: 38253446 DOI: 10.1093/heapol/czad089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2023] [Revised: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 10/23/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Health System strengthening is high on the agenda of the global health community. We review some of the specific challenges faced by Small Island Developing States in the development of their health systems. We propose a list of action points for aid actors willing to adapt their health programs and interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bruno Meessen
- Department of Health Financing and Economics, World Health Organization, 20 Avenue Appia, Geneva 1211, Switzerland
| | - Anne Ancia
- Mauritius Country Office, World Health Organization, Anglo Mauritius House Intendence Street, Port Louis, Mauritius
| | - Danny Gill
- Ministry of Health and Wellness, Frank Walcott Building, Culloden Road, St. Michael BB11114, Barbados
| | - Althea LaFoucade
- Center for Health Economics & Department of Economics, University of the West Indies, 25A Warner Street, St Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Stanley Lalta
- Centre for Health Economics, University of the West Indies, 25A Warner Street, St Augustine 00000, Trinidad and Tobago
| | - Guillermo Sandoval
- Caribbean Subregional Program Coordination, Pan American Health Organization -World Health Organization, Dayrells and Navy Garden Roads, Bridgetown, Barbados
| | - Gade Waqa
- Pacific Research Centre for the Prevention of Obesity and Non-Communicable Diseases (C-POND), Fiji Institute of Pacific Health Research, Fiji National University, Tamavua Campus, Suva, Fiji
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Lim MY, Kamaruzaman HF, Wu O, Geue C. Health financing challenges in Southeast Asian countries for universal health coverage: a systematic review. Arch Public Health 2023; 81:148. [PMID: 37592326 PMCID: PMC10433621 DOI: 10.1186/s13690-023-01159-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/27/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Universal Health Coverage (UHC) has received much attention and many countries are striving to achieve it. The Southeast Asian region, in particular, comprises many developing countries with limited resources, exacerbating challenges around attaining UHC. This paper aims to specifically explore the health financing challenges these countries face in achieving UHC via a systematic review approach and formulate recommendations that will be useful for policymakers. METHODS The systematic review followed the guidelines as recommended by PRISMA. The narrative synthesis approach was used for data synthesis, followed by identifying common themes. RESULTS The initial search returned 160 articles, and 32 articles were included after the screening process. The identified challenges in health financing towards achieving UHC in the Southeast Asian region are categorised into six main themes, namely (1) Unsustainability of revenue-raising methods, (2) Fragmented health insurance schemes, (3) Incongruity between insurance benefits and people's needs, (4) Political and legislative indifference, (5) Intractable and rapidly rising healthcare cost, (6) Morally reprehensible behaviours. CONCLUSIONS The challenges identified are diverse and therefore require a multifaceted approach. Regional collaborative efforts between countries will play an essential role in the progress towards UHC and in narrowing the inequity gap. At the national level, individual countries must work towards sustainable health financing strategies by leveraging innovative digital technologies and constantly adapting to dynamic health trends. REGISTRATION This study is registered with PROSPERO, under registration number CRD42022336624.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming Yao Lim
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK.
| | - Hanin Farhana Kamaruzaman
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Olivia Wu
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
| | - Claudia Geue
- Health Economics and Health Technology Assessment, School of Health and Wellbeing, University of Glasgow, Scotland, UK
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Endalamaw A, Gilks CF, Ambaw F, Assefa Y. Universality of universal health coverage: A scoping review. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0269507. [PMID: 35994455 PMCID: PMC9394787 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0269507] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The progress of Universal health coverage (UHC) is measured using tracer indicators of key interventions, which have been implemented in healthcare system. UHC is about population, comprehensive health services and financial coverage for equitable quality services and health outcome. There is dearth of evidence about the extent of the universality of UHC in terms of types of health services, its integrated definition (dimensions) and tracer indicators utilized in the measurement of UHC. Therefore, we mapped the existing literature to assess universality of UHC and summarize the challenges towards UHC. METHODS The checklist Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic reviews and Meta-analysis extension for Scoping Reviews was used. A systematic search was carried out in the Web of Science and PubMed databases. Hand searches were also conducted to find articles from Google Scholar, the World Bank Library, the World Health Organization Library, the United Nations Digital Library Collections, and Google. Article search date was between 20 October 2021 and 12 November 2021 and the most recent update was done on 03 March 2022. Articles on UHC coverage, financial risk protection, quality of care, and inequity were included. The Population, Concept, and Context framework was used to determine the eligibility of research questions. A stepwise approach was used to identify and select relevant studies, conduct data charting, collation and summarization, as well as report results. Simple descriptive statistics and narrative synthesis were used to present the findings. RESULTS Forty-seven papers were included in the final review. One-fourth of the articles (25.5%) were from the African region and 29.8% were from lower-middle-income countries. More than half of the articles (54.1%) followed a quantitative research approach. Of included articles, coverage was assessed by 53.2% of articles; financial risk protection by 27.7%, inequity by 25.5% and quality by 6.4% of the articles as the main research objectives or mentioned in result section. Most (42.5%) of articles investigated health promotion and 2.1% palliation and rehabilitation services. Policy and healthcare level and cross-cutting barriers of UHC were identified. Financing, leadership/governance, inequity, weak regulation and supervision mechanism, and poverty were most repeated policy level barriers. Poor quality health services and inadequate health workforce were the common barriers from health sector challenges. Lack of common understanding on UHC was frequently mentioned as a cross-cutting barrier. CONCLUSIONS The review showed that majority of the articles were from the African region. Methodologically, quantitative research design was more frequently used to investigate UHC. Palliation and rehabilitation health care services need attention in the monitoring and evaluation of UHC progress. It is also noteworthy to focus on quality and inequity of health services. The study implies that urgent action on the identified policy, health system and cross-cutting barriers is required to achieve UHC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aklilu Endalamaw
- School of Public Health, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Charles F. Gilks
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Fentie Ambaw
- School of Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
| | - Yibeltal Assefa
- College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Bahir Dar University, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia
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Walker IF, Asher L, Pari A, Attride-Stirling J, Oyinloye AO, Simmons C, Potter I, Rubaine V, Samuel JM, Andrewin A, Flynn J, McGill AL, Greenaway-Duberry S, Malcom AB, Mann G, Razavi A, Gibson RC. Mental health systems in six Caribbean small island developing states: a comparative situational analysis. Int J Ment Health Syst 2022; 16:39. [PMID: 35962382 PMCID: PMC9372926 DOI: 10.1186/s13033-022-00552-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 08/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Small island developing states (SIDS) have particular mental health system needs due to their remoteness and narrow resource base. We conducted situational analyses to support mental health system strengthening in six SIDS: Anguilla, Bermuda, British Virgin Islands, Cayman Islands, Montserrat and Turks and Caicos Islands. Methods The situational analyses covered five domains: 1. Socio-economic context and burden of mental disorders, 2. Leadership and governance for mental health 3. Mental health and social care services 4. Strategies for promotion and prevention in mental health and 5. Information systems, evidence and research for mental health. First, a desk-based exercise was conducted, in which data was drawn from the public domain. Second, a field visit was conducted at each site, comprising visits to facilities and consultation meetings with key stakeholders. Results Our key findings were 1. Despite most of these SIDS being high-income economies, social inequalities within states exist. There was no population-level data on mental health burden. 2. All SIDS have a mental health policy or plan, but implementation is typically limited due to lack of funds or staff shortages. There was minimal evidence of service user involvement in policy or service development. 3. All SIDS have a specialist, multi-disciplinary mental health workforce, however Montserrat and Anguilla rely on visiting psychiatrists. Child and adolescent and dedicated crisis intervention services were found in only two and one SIDS respectively. A recovery-oriented ethos was not identified in any SIDS. 4. Mental illness stigma was prevalent in all SIDS. Promotion and prevention were objectives of mental health strategies for all SIDS, however activities tended to be sporadic. No mental health non-Governmental organisations were identified in three SIDS. 5. Health information systems are generally underdeveloped, with paper-based systems in three SIDS. There has been no rigorous local mental health research. Conclusion Cross-cutting recommendations include: to develop mental health action plans that include clear implementation indicators; to facilitate community surveys to ascertain the prevalence of mental disorders; to explore task-sharing approaches to increase access to primary mental health care; and to develop programmes of mental health promotion and prevention. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13033-022-00552-9.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ian F Walker
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK.
| | - Laura Asher
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK.,University of Nottingham, School of Medicine, Academic Unit of Population and Lifespan Sciences, Nottingham, UK
| | - Anees Pari
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK
| | | | | | | | - Irad Potter
- Ministry of Health and Social Development, Government of the Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | - Virginia Rubaine
- Health Services Authority, Government of the Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | - June M Samuel
- Ministry of Health and Social Development, Government of the Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands.,Health Services Authority, Government of the Virgin Islands, Tortola, British Virgin Islands
| | - Aisha Andrewin
- Ministry of Health and Social Development, Government of Anguilla, The Valley, Anguilla
| | - Janett Flynn
- Ministry of Health, Environment, Culture and Housing, Cayman Islands Government, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | - Arline L McGill
- Health Services Authority, George Town Hospital, Cayman Islands Government, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands
| | | | - Alicia B Malcom
- Ministry of Health, Agriculture, Sports and Human Services, Government of the Turks and Caicos Islands, Grand Turk, Turks and Caicos Islands
| | - Gemma Mann
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK
| | - Ahmed Razavi
- Public Health England, Wellington House, 133-155 Waterloo Road, London, SE1 8UG, UK
| | - Roger C Gibson
- Department of Community Health & Psychiatry, The University of the West Indies, Mona Campus, Kingston 7, Jamaica
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Difficulties in Accessing Cancer Care in a Small Island State: A Community-Based Pilot Study of Cancer Survivors in Saint Lucia. INTERNATIONAL JOURNAL OF ENVIRONMENTAL RESEARCH AND PUBLIC HEALTH 2021; 18:ijerph18094770. [PMID: 33947123 PMCID: PMC8124473 DOI: 10.3390/ijerph18094770] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2021] [Revised: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Developing robust systems for cancer care delivery is essential to reduce the high cancer mortality in small island developing states (SIDS). Indigenous data are scarce, but community-based cancer research can inform care in SIDS where formal research capacity is lacking, and we describe the experiences of cancer survivors in Saint Lucia in accessing health services. Purposive and snowball sampling was used to constitute a sample of survivors for interviews. Subjects were interviewed with a questionnaire regarding socio-demographics, clinical characteristics, health services accessed (physicians, tests, treatment), and personal appraisal of experience. We recruited 50 survivors (13 men, 37 women). Only 52% of first presentations were with general practitioners. The mean turnaround for biopsy results in Saint Lucia was three times longer than overseas (p = 0.0013). Approximately half of survivors commenced treatment more than one month following diagnosis (median of 32 days, IQR 19-86 days), and 56% of survivors traveled out-of-country for treatment. Most survivors (60%) paid for care with family/friends support, followed by savings and medical insurance (38% each). In conclusion, cancer survivors in Saint Lucia are faced with complex circumstances, including access-to-care and health consequences. This study can guide future research, and possibly guide practice improvements in the near term.
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COVID-19 containment in the Caribbean: The experience of small island developing states. RESEARCH IN GLOBALIZATION 2020; 2:100019. [PMCID: PMC7402372 DOI: 10.1016/j.resglo.2020.100019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2020] [Revised: 07/10/2020] [Accepted: 07/10/2020] [Indexed: 06/14/2023]
Abstract
Background Small island developing states (SIDS) have limited absolute resources for responding to national disasters, including health emergencies. Since the first confirmed case of COVID-19 in the Caribbean on 1st March 2020, non-pharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) have been widely used to control the resulting COVID-19 outbreak. We document the variety of government measures introduced across the Caribbean and explore their impact on aspects of outbreak control. Methods Drawing on publically available information, we present confirmed cases and confirmed deaths to describe the extent of the Caribbean outbreak. We document the range of outbreak containment measures implemented by national Governments, focussing on measures to control movement and gatherings. We explore the temporal association of containment measures with the start of the outbreak in each country, and with aggregated information on human movement, using smartphone positioning data. We include a set of comparator countries to provide an international context. Results As of 25th May, the Caribbean reported 18,755 confirmed cases and 631 deaths. There have been broad similarities but also variation in the number, the type, the intensity, and particularly the timing of the NPIs introduced across the Caribbean. On average, Caribbean governments began controlling movement into countries 27 days before their first confirmed case and 23 days before comparator countries. Controls on movement within country were introduced 9 days after the first case and 36 days before comparators. Controls on gatherings were implemented 1 day before the first confirmed case and 30 days before comparators. Confirmed case growth rates and numbers of deaths have remained low across much the Caribbean. Stringent Caribbean curfews and stay-at-home orders coincided with large reductions in community mobility, regularly above 60%, and higher than most international comparator countries. Conclusion Stringent controls to limit movement, and specifically the early timing of those controls has had an important impact on containing the spread of COVID-19 across much of the Caribbean. Very early controls to limit movement into countries may well be particularly effective for small island developing states. With much of the region economically reliant on international tourism, and with steps to open borders now being implemented, it is critical that the region draws on a solid evidence-base to balance the competing demands of economic wellbeing and public health.
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Tosif S, Jatobatu A, Maepioh A, Gray A, Gilbert K, Hodgson J, Duke T. Implementation Lessons from a Multifaceted National Newborn Program in Solomon Islands: A Mixed-Methods Study. Am J Trop Med Hyg 2020; 102:667-675. [PMID: 31971147 PMCID: PMC7056423 DOI: 10.4269/ajtmh.19-0631] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Accepted: 11/24/2019] [Indexed: 11/07/2022] Open
Abstract
Multifaceted interventions are important in improving neonatal quality of care and health outcomes. This study describes the implementation of an intervention to improve the quality of newborn care in Solomon Islands, a small island developing state and lower middle-income country in the Western Pacific. Inputs included training, equipment provision, and healthcare system organizational changes. For evaluation, we used a mixed-methods design, using quantitative (audits of health facility equipment, structure, and organization) and qualitative (semi-structured interviews and focused group discussions with healthcare workers) methods. Participants highlighted the practical, interactive, coaching style of training and its short duration as positive features in establishing skills. Training had indirect impacts through improving culture of the workplace, and the evaluation provided a valuable opportunity for reflection of the implementation process for healthcare workers. Facility limitations from equipment deficits and poor condition of clinical areas had implications by limiting the provision of quality care, as well as contributing to healthcare workers feeling undervalued. Resuscitation of a nonbreathing baby was a stressful experience for many health workers, compounded by geographic isolation and feeling unsupported. Our findings highlight the importance of training methodology, impact from structural limitations, and experience of resuscitation for the healthcare worker. Attention to these factors may help the design and implementation of newborn care programs in similar contexts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shidan Tosif
- Centre for International Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Anna Jatobatu
- Reproductive and Child Health Department, Ministry of Health and Medical Services, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Anita Maepioh
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, National Referral Hospital, Honiara, Solomon Islands
| | - Amy Gray
- Centre for International Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Katherine Gilbert
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, School of Population and Global Health, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Jan Hodgson
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
| | - Trevor Duke
- Centre for International Child Health, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Royal Children’s Hospital Melbourne, University of Melbourne, Parkville VIC, Australia
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International accreditation, linguistic proximity and trade in medical services. Soc Sci Med 2019; 238:112403. [DOI: 10.1016/j.socscimed.2019.112403] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2019] [Accepted: 07/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
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Sarfati D, Dyer R, Vivili P, Herman J, Spence D, Sullivan R, Weller D, Bray F, Hill S, Bates C, Foliaki S, Palafox N, Luciani S, Ekeroma A, Hospedales J. Cancer control in small island nations: from local challenges to global action. Lancet Oncol 2019; 20:e535-e548. [PMID: 31395475 PMCID: PMC7746435 DOI: 10.1016/s1470-2045(19)30511-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 06/13/2019] [Accepted: 06/13/2019] [Indexed: 12/16/2022]
Abstract
Cancer is a leading cause of death in small island nations and is forecast to increase substantially over the coming years. Governments, regional agencies, and health services of these nations face daunting challenges, including small and fragile economies, unequal distribution of resources, weak or fragmented health services, small population sizes that make sustainable workforce and service development problematic, and the unavailability of specialised cancer services to large parts of the population. Action is required to prevent large human and economic costs relating to cancer. This final Series paper highlights the challenges and opportunities for small island nations, and identifies ways in which the international community can support efforts to improve cancer control in these settings. Our recommendations focus on funding and investment opportunities to strengthen cancer-related health systems to improve sharing of technical assistance for research, surveillance, workforce, and service development, and to support small island nations with policy changes to reduce the consumption of commodities (eg, tobacco and unhealthy food products) that increase cancer risk.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana Sarfati
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand.
| | - Rachel Dyer
- Department of Public Health, University of Otago, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Paula Vivili
- Public Health Division, Pacific Community, Noumea, New Caledonia
| | | | | | - Richard Sullivan
- School of Cancer and Pharmaceutical Sciences, King's College London, London, UK
| | - David Weller
- James Mackenzie Professor of General Practice, Usher Institute of Population Health, Sciences and Informatics, College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Freddie Bray
- Cancer Surveillance Section, International Agency for Research on Cancer, Lyon, France
| | - Sarah Hill
- Global Health Policy Unit, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, UK
| | - Christopher Bates
- Nossal Institute for Global Health, Melbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne, VIC, Australia
| | - Sunia Foliaki
- Centre for Public Health Research, Massey University-Wellington Campus, Wellington, New Zealand
| | - Neal Palafox
- Pacific Regional Cancer Programs, Department of Family Medicine and Community Health, John A Burns School of Medicine, University of Hawaii at Manoa, Honolulu, HI, USA; Population Sciences in the Pacific Program, University of Hawaii Cancer Center, Honolulu, HI, USA
| | - Silvana Luciani
- Department of Noncommunicable Diseases and Mental Health, Pan American Health Organization, Washington, DC, USA
| | - Alec Ekeroma
- Obstetrics and Gynaecology, University of Otago, Wellington, Wellington, New Zealand; National University of Samoa, Le Papaigalagala Campus, To'omatagi, Samoa
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