Andrew Strawbridge's family raising funds for Samoan hospital's intensive care unit

Chiefs assistant coach and Manu Samoa technical advisor Andrew Strawbridge. Photo / Getty

The family of Chiefs assistant coach Andrew Strawbridge who was struck down by a rare illness when he travelled to Samoa last week are raising money for the island's intensive care unit.

Mr Strawbridge remains in a critical but stable condition in Waikato Hospital Intensive Care Unit after a small set back on Sunday night.

He was admitted to hospital last Tuesday with an infection in his right eye which had deteriorated rapidly, having travelled to Samoa to act as technical adviser ahead of the All Blacks test.

But he was deemed stable enough to travel home for treatment, returning on a medical flight from Apia on Friday.

Despite facing challenges, Mr Strawbridge's family are now fundraising for specific medical equipment for Samoa's Moto'otua National Hospital Intensive Care Unit where he was first treated by Middlemore Hospital physician Dr David Galler.

They have now set up a Givealittle page for the cause.

Mr Strawbridge's wife Laura said she knew friends and the rugby community wanted to help.

"The Moto'otua National Hospital Intensive Care Unit could really use some of that love and we hope they will support the give-a-little page.

"We have asked Dr Galler to give us his wish list of resources, because it was obvious during Andrew's stay that some additional resources and support would allow them to deal with the complexities of dealing with critically ill people on the basis of what they need, not on what's available.

"Please help Dr Galler and his 'wonder' ICU team make it much easier to continue their amazing, compassionate work."

The money raised would go towards medical equipment for the Moto'otua ICU including, a computer, syringe pumps, echo machine, airway equipment, ICU dialysis machine, a vital signs transport monitor and a portable oximeter.

"We would also like to support further investment in training, such as establishing an ongoing educational scholarship open to both doctors and nurses to help establish a sustainable model of appropriate intensive care services for Samoa.

"While our fundraising efforts may not buy all of these things because some of them are very expensive, I would love to think we can make a difference and a dent in the list," Mrs Strawbridge said.

The page is http://givealittle.co.nz/cause/strawbridgeappealforsamoaicu#