The need for both expatriate and national staff is accepted now and in
the foreseeable future, but appropriate educational programs will
dependence on outside personnel.

lessen

Stated priority areas include upgrading

secondary care facilities and addition of some tertiary care functions,

strengthening managerial and fiscal controls, improving communication and
transport capability between clinics on out-islands and central secondary
care facilities,
activities

and recruiting and upgrading staff.

including

initial

qualification

and

Quality assurance

continuing

education

of

staff, preventive maintenance of equipment, and the monitoring of process
and outcome of care need marked expansion.
continued
alcoholism,

in

such

areas

hypertension,

as

patient

immunization,

and

Specific emphasis needs to be
community

diabetes,

health

and

dental

education,
services.

Care of radiation-related illness, although still of major emotional and
political importance, is reaching a level that should be integrated into the
health care system of the country.
Tensions

among Marshallese perceptions exist with regard to family

planning, extent of external referrals, degree of support for terminally il]
and elective care, qualification and level of health care providers for the
smaller or more isolated population groups, and siting and number of health

care facilities.

The Marshallese view the financing of health care as

coming from Marshall

Islands Government general

revenue,

United States

Government obligation as Trust Territory administrator and as a consequence
of health effects of the U.S. nuclear weapons testing programs, private
corporation contribution

for

the health care of its employees,

special

program and project grants from foreign governments, foundations and other
agencies, and to a limited degree from patient revenue.

Although there may

be a role for private practice, the government intends that through its
health care facilities no one needing health care will be denied access to
it.

The final overriding concern is related to the phasing out of the Trust
Territory of the Pacific Islands and the assumption of the status of a
Freely Associated State by the Marshallese Government.

This will impinge on

the health care system in a number of ways, such as manpower training
relationships,

licensure

standards,

activities, supply procurement, etc.

health

planning

and

evaluation

It is expected that new expertise wil]

need to be developed in a number of critical areas, and that the full impact
of this changed relationship will probably not be known until it occurs. ©

Select target paragraph3