periodic visits to Marshall Islands for specialized surgery or medical
consultations.
ophthalmology,
dermatology,
With
this
plan
otolaryngology,
etc.
can
special
problems
urology,
also be
in
the
orthopedics,
adequately treated
in
areas
of
cardiology,
the Marshalls
‘thereby reducing the number of referrals for tertiary care.
Ebeye:
The hospital at Ebeye (50 beds) will be staffed and
equipped to provide secondary care but at a lesser level than at Majuro.
Whenever
possible
complicated
cases
will
be referred to Majuro or
provided by the Majuro staff commuting to Ebeye.
2.
Tertiary Care
With the upgrading of medical services at Majuro, it is anticipated
that the referral
costs for tertiary care to hospitals outside the
Marshall
can
Islands
be
presently go to Tripler
substantially
in Hawaii.
reduced.
It
is
Most
recommended
referrals
that
other
facilities, such as Queens, Castle Memorial, and Straub Clinic in Hawaii
be considered as alternatives.
These facilities were evaluated and can
provide complete tertiary care, including cardiac care and open heart
surgery.
Specialty and Rehabilitation Services
1.
Dental
Currently the three dental
Majuro
are
providing
prophylaxis,
x-rays
dental
and
officers and their supporting staff in
examinations,
treatment
extractions, and health education.
of
jaw
basic
restorative
fractures,
minor
care,
surgery,
In addition, the dental public health
section has attempted three additional services - dental maternal and child
health services, school dental programs, and field treatment programs.
maternal
and child health services are primarily educational, providing
young mothers with information that hopefully will
their
The
child rearing practices.
examinations,
education.
extractions,
The school
flouride
mouth
be incorporated into
and field programs
washer
for
include
children,
and
Though a stated objective, these latter services have not been
made available on the outer islands because of manpower, budgetary, and
equipment limitations.
The short and unpredictable duration of field ship
stops (1-2 days) has made them an unreliable transport mechanism for these
services.
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