Dr. Tuila Faleolo Mau

Dr. Tuila Faleolo Mau is a consultant general surgeon at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital in Apia, Samoa's national referral hospital. With 17 years of specialist experience, FRACS qualifications, and fellowship from the Pacific Islands Surgical Association, he is one of the most qualified surgeons in the Pacific region. His practice encompasses laparoscopic surgery, colorectal surgery, and emergency surgery — providing Samoa with a level of surgical capability that reduces the need for overseas medical evacuation for complex abdominal and colorectal cases. Dr. Mau's contributions to surgical capacity in Samoa represent a significant advancement in healthcare self-sufficiency for the Pacific nation.

Dr. Mau completed his MBBS and subsequently achieved the FRACS (Fellowship of the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons) — the premier surgical qualification in Australasia, requiring passing rigorous written, clinical, and operative assessments. His surgical training included advanced laparoscopic techniques, colorectal surgery, and emergency abdominal surgery rotations at Australasian training hospitals. He additionally became a Fellow of the Pacific Islands Surgical Association, reflecting peer recognition of his contributions to surgical capacity building in the Pacific region. He participates in RACS CME programmes and Pacific surgical networks to maintain his operative skills.

Dr. Mau performs the full spectrum of general surgical procedures at Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital. His laparoscopic expertise includes laparoscopic cholecystectomy, appendicectomy, and hernia repair, providing patients with minimally invasive surgical options and faster recovery. His colorectal practice covers colonic resection for cancer, diverticular disease, and complicated haemorrhoids. Emergency surgery encompasses management of intestinal obstruction, bowel perforation, penetrating abdominal trauma, and appendicitis. He also manages soft tissue infections, including the severe neonatal and adult necrotising fasciitis cases that present in Pacific Island settings, requiring urgent surgical debridement.

Tupua Tamasese Meaole Hospital is Samoa's primary surgical referral centre, serving local residents, expatriates, and international visitors. Dr. Mau's FRACS qualifications and laparoscopic surgical skills attract patients from neighbouring Pacific islands who require procedures not available in smaller island nations. He consults in English and Samoan. The hospital has established referral pathways to New Zealand and Australia for cases requiring subspecialty colorectal or oncological surgical input beyond local capacity. Faleolo International Airport provides direct connections to Auckland and Sydney, supporting medical travel coordination.

Dr. Mau has been recognised by the Pacific Islands Surgical Association and the Samoan Ministry of Health for his contributions to surgical capacity building in Samoa. His FRACS qualification from the Royal Australasian College of Surgeons reflects the highest surgical training credential in Australasia. He has been commended for introducing laparoscopic surgical techniques to Samoa, significantly improving post-operative outcomes and reducing hospital stay for patients undergoing abdominal surgery. He has presented at Pacific surgical conferences and contributed to regional surgical education initiatives.