The Marshaii Islands Government nas served as a most important source
of information, insight, understanding and background.
We were fortunate to
meet with the king, president, ministers of health, finance, resources and
development,
communication,
the
chief
secretary,
many
of
the
other
ministerial secretaries, and personnel in the operational levels within the
health department.
Also brought into discussions were the Guam-Micronesia
Mission subcontractors who are currently managing the health care system.
Half of the atolls and islands were visited, including: Majuro, Ebeye,
Enewetak, Rongelap, Utirik, Mejit, Wotje, Likiep, Maloelap, Ailinglapalap,
Arno, Jaluit and Mili.
useful.
Visits on these islands were all well received and
The team was able to visit and study both hospitals, both super
clinics, and over a third of the dispensaries.
with local
leaders, magistrates,
Iroij,
On each island the team met
alab,
councils,
representatives, health personnel, and other local people.
group meetings were held.
chief secretary
Many extensive
Four survey instruments were used, dealing with
the health facilities, clinic personnel, general information, environmental
and resident needs assessment (samples are in Appendix G).
These surveys
gathered
applicable
a
great
deal
of
information,
from which
plans
to
currently existing needs and project demands can be built.
C.
Assumptions
The following represent major activities that are being implemented by
the Marshallese Government independent of the existing health budget.
Obviously
impact
the
health
care
system
and
this
proposal,
so
They
its
relationship to each is discussed.
1.
Majuro Hospital
Plans are currently being discussed regarding the building of a new
hospital in Majuro.
The current hospital is in poor physical condition and
the land where it is located "must" be returned to its owner at the end of
the 25 year lease in 1981.
The possibility of constructing an "interim"
facility is being considered, which could later serve as an outpatient
clinic.
Neither the advisability of rebuilding vs.
renovating nor the
budgetary implications are dealt with in this proposal.
2.
Nursing School
The Board of Regents, College of Micronesia has recently voted to move
its nursing school from Saipan to Majuro.
Funding for this move, builiding
requirements on Majuro,. available faculty, etc. are unclear at the present