The island state of Nauru covers about 21 square kilometres in the South Pacific Ocean. In 2022, about 12,000 were people in Nauru and had a life expectancy at birth of 62 years.
The ministry of health and medical services offers primary health care prevention, referrals and some clinical services, delivered through district health workers and community-based nurses. Basic primary and secondary care, diagnostic and clinical services, and public health programmes for a broad range of communicable diseases and NCDs are offered by the Naoero Public Health Centre and the outpatient department of the Republic of Nauru (RON) Hospital.
Per capita spending on health in Nauru amounted to US$ 2,264 in 2022, which was more than the average that year for the Pacific Island countries (US$ 804.5). Current health expenditure (CHE) as a percentage of gross domestic product was 18.2% in 2022, which is almost double the average for the Pacific Island countries (9.8% in 2022). General government health expenditure accounted for 66.5% of health spending, out-of-pocket spending accounted for 20.2% and voluntary health insurance accounted for 11.3% of the CHE.
Limited health system capacity constrains Nauru’s ability to address rising NCDs. Health workforce gaps result in heavy reliance on external technical assistance. Key strategies for strengthening Nauru’s health system include developing the health workforce, enhancing disease surveillance and response, improving procurement and supply chains, implementing primary care and NCD prevention programmes, and increasing climate change resilience.
[1] Pacific Islands–WHO multi-country cooperation strategy 2024–2029, page 53.