Posted at 7:10 a.m., Thursday, January 17, 2008
American Samoa governor evacuated to Tripler
Associated Press
PAGO PAGO, American Samoa — Gov. Togiola T.A. Tulafono on Wednesday left for Honolulu on board an emergency medical flight to seek treatment for complications from recent surgery to remove his appendix.Tulafono will be taken to Tripler Army Medical Center after he arrives, Lt. Gov. Ipulasi Aitofele Sunia said. The governor was strong and doing well, he added.
An Air Force C-17 cargo jet based at Hickam Air Force Base in Hawai'i was transporting the governor, his wife and his two daughters.
The governor was admitted to the government-run LBJ Medical Center in Pago Pago on Jan. 6 after complaining of pains on the lower right side of his stomach, Sunia said.
Doctors decided the governor needed an emergency appendectomy and operated. But on Jan. 13, the governor began experiencing complications forcing him to undergo another operation.
Sunia said that operation didn't succeed but he didn't explain the reason.
As of Tuesday night, Tulafono's vital signs were stable and he didn't want to leave for additional medical treatment. Wednesday morning, however, the governor's office notified media of the medical evacuation plans.
Capt. Genieve David, a 13th Air Force public affairs officer, would only confirm the Air Force was transporting an individual for medical reasons. David would not say who the individual was, citing patient privacy concerns.
A spokesman for Tripler Army Medical Center could not immediately be reached for comment.
