[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_row use_custom_gutter=”on” gutter_width=”1″ admin_label=”!!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.20.4″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n
The island state of Nauru covers about <\/span>21 square kilometres<\/span><\/a>\u00a0 in the South Pacific Ocean. In 2022, about 12,000 were people in Nauru and had a life expectancy at birth of 62 years. <\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]A report from the World Health Organization highlights several aspects of Nauru\u2019s health system. The report states, \u201cLike other Pacific islands, Nauru faces a triple burden of communicable diseases, noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), and climate- and environment-related health impacts. \u2026\u201d.<\/span>\u00a0<\/span>The report goes on to read that \u201ctuberculosis and leprosy remain endemic,\u201d that outbreaks of typhoid and diarrhoea occur, and that\u00a0 \u201cNCDs including obesity, diabetes and hypertension are the main causes of mortality \u2026\u201d Last, the report highlights that \u201c[d]roughts, fresh-water contamination and reliance on imported processed foods contribute to malnutrition\u201d.[1]<\/a><\/sup> <\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 3″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n The ministry of health and medical services offers primary health care prevention<\/a>, 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.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 4 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]Some tertiary diagnostic, clinical, surgical and inpatient services are offered at RON Hospital. More complex, specialist clinical care is provided by intermittent visiting medical teams, most of which are from Australia and Taiwan, and by formal and informal overseas medical referral (OMR) to Australia, New Zealand, Fiji and Asia. OMR remains a significant drain on annual health sector budgets in Nauru.[2]<\/a><\/sup>\u00a0<\/span>[\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n 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.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 5″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]<\/p>\n Limited health system capacity constrains Nauru\u2019s ability to address rising NCDs. Health workforce gaps result in heavy reliance on external technical assistance. Key strategies<\/a> for strengthening Nauru\u2019s 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.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 9 – Footnotes” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” text_font_size=”13px” custom_margin=”20px||||false|false” custom_padding=”||||false|false” hover_enabled=”0″ custom_css_main_element=”a{color:#4c7e96 }” global_colors_info=”{}” theme_builder_area=”post_content” sticky_enabled=”0″]References<\/strong><\/p>\n [1]<\/span> Pacific Islands\u2013WHO multi-country cooperation strategy 2024\u20132029<\/a>, page 53.<\/span><\/p>\n