Q: I am taking a job for one year at a Youth Facility in Samoa. I have insulin dependent diabetes from the age of 17 years and I am stable. Now I am 23 years old. Is there anything I should know about living in Samoa (not American Samoa) with diabetes? Can Humalog and Lantus be purchased locally, and at what price? If you were Diabetic would you take this opportunity to live in Samoa for a year, as I am really looking forward to doing so, but my parents are worried, and I am looking for some way to satisfy their fear.

A:People who are likely to stay in for extended period in Samoa should take vaccinations against: (1) Typhoid (2) Hepatitis A (3) Hepatitis B (4) Yellow Fever (compulsory). In addition, one should either take or arrange regular supply of all the routine medicines being consumed since they are very expensive and sometimes in short supply.