sf There is hospital. 70t adequate equipment to meet the medical needs of There appear to be two major reasons for this deficiency. the One, little or no maintenance; and two, no long-range planning as to direction, level of care, or future needs. Long-range planning seems to be absent from most of the present health care system. In buying equipment for the new hospital, it must be related to the level of care being provided and must have available support maintenance or it is of little value to the provider of health care. Ebeye: with 20 beds. Ebeye Hospital is approximately 19,000 square feet in area The environmental problem has had its toll on the facility and available beds. Of major concern with the Ebeye Hospital is its design. was designed for forced air which is not functioning most of It the time. Because of this design there is no natural flow of air, creating some real health problems. With some careful planning the plant could be improved to meet the health care needs it is to serve. As is seen over and over again, a good maintenance program would do much to improve the situation. It is recommended that the hospital be expanded to 50 beds with the same design concerns that were mentioned for the Majuro Hospital. will be needed to support the higher level This increase of care to be provided and population increases. 2. Laboratories Present System : The hospital in Majuro is served by a small clinical laboratory staffed by the former chief laboratory technologist for the Trust Territory and five bench-trained laboratory assistants. This year a Peace Corps volunteer with American Society of Clinical Pathologists (Medical Laboratory Technician) certification is helping. The lab assistants have been cross-trained for each section of the laboratory. Continuing education is provided by the chief technologist and by participation in workshops at the Ponape campus of the Community sponsorship. College of Micronesia Routine cytology, hematology procedures are offered. under histology, World Health bacteriology, Organization urinalysis, and Only limited chemistries are available. Blood banking utilizes walking donors. Surgical pathology specimens are grossed and the micro interpreted by a senior medical officer. Problem cases, tumors, and special requests are referred to Hawaii for pathologist consultation.