[et_pb_section fb_built=”1″ admin_label=”!! PLEASE DO NOT EDIT !!!” _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][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=”{}”][et_pb_column type=”4_4″ _builder_version=”4.19.5″ _module_preset=”default” global_colors_info=”{}”][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 1″ _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n
Palau is a Pacific island nation with a population of about 18,000 in 2021, of whom approximately 69.9% are Palauan, 15.3% Filipino and 4.9% Chinese. Palau is divided into 16 states, with 79% of the population residing in the greater Koror urban area. The life expectancy at birth is 69 years. Palau has made significant progress in its health care initiatives in recent years, resulting in high immunization coverage and low maternal and child deaths. Palau\u00a0 is moving forwards in reaching SDG goals\u2013 reducing childhood deaths, substance abuse, and tobacco use in the population. However, the nation struggles with non-communicable disease (NCD) reduction.<\/span><\/p>\n [\/et_pb_text][ba_gradient_heading title=”Heavy reliance on external funds despite high government expenditures” html_tag=”h3″ primary_color=”#455A64″ secondary_color=”#455A64″ admin_label=”HEADING (50-60 characters)” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” title_font=”||||||||” title_font_size=”26px” title_line_height=”1em” custom_padding=”||10px||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”][\/ba_gradient_heading][et_pb_text admin_label=”TEXT – BLOCK 2 ” _builder_version=”4.21.0″ _module_preset=”default” custom_padding=”||1em||false|false” global_colors_info=”{}”]The current health expenditure (CHE) as a share of GDP is 18% with the government spending 73% of the CHE. Out-of-pocket (OOP) payments stand at 11%.[1]<\/a><\/sup> Palau heavily relies on foreign aid despite being classified as a high-income country. Palau boasts a universal health care system beginning with the establishment of The Palau Health Care Fund in 2010 through the National Health Financing Act. This law provides health and social welfare benefits through the individual mandate. It has two components: the National Health Insurance, which pools funds to cover in-patient and off-island referral costs; and the Medical Savings Account, which is geared toward medical checkups and out-patient services. The law directly benefits both the people and the government and keeps medical expenses in check. <\/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” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n Health services are available at the Belau National Hospital (the main health facility in the country), four community centres known as super dispensaries, and four additional satellite dispensaries.[2]<\/a><\/sup> The health facilities have been upgraded to mitigate its vulnerability to natural disasters. As its population ages, the NCDs will become increasingly prevalent health concerns. These diseases will likely become the focus of health care initiatives in Palau\u2019s future.\u00a0<\/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” global_colors_info=”{}”]<\/p>\n