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PALIKIR, POHNPEI – The Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA) successfully held its annual staff retreat on Friday, January 16, 2026, reflecting on the achievements of 2025 and setting a direction for the year ahead.

The day began with a formal staff meeting at the DHSA main office. Secretary Marcus Samo opened the session by presenting a comprehensive overview of each program’s performance and activities throughout 2025. He reviewed progress against the goals outlined in the Health Strategic Development Plan, emphasizing the critical impact of the Department’s work on the health and well-being of all citizens across the nation.

In his address, Secretary Samo reminded staff that their daily efforts directly advance the nation’s health. While commending the dedication and resilience shown in 2025, he acknowledged there is always room for growth, expressing full confidence in the staff’s potential to reach even higher standards in 2026.

Following the Secretary’s remarks, Assistant Secretary of Health, Moses Pretrick, and Assistant Secretary of Social Affairs, Kasinda Ludwig, addressed the staff. They led a series of engaging ice-breaker activities designed to foster team unity and cross-program collaboration.

A significant component of the retreat was a dedicated workshop on preventing sexual harassment in the workplace, presented by Takiko Ifamilik, Digital Gender Coordinator. The workshop provided critical awareness and education. It sparked a robust and constructive discussion among staff and leadership, including Secretary Samo, on practical steps to draft, refine, and implement a formal departmental harassment policy. Secretary Samo endorsed the initiative, encouraging the development of a clear policy to ensure a safe and respectful work environment for all DHSA employees. In absence of a FSM National policy on sexual harassment, Secretary Samo indicated his desire to roll this idea across the entire FSM National Government, as tool to encourage respect, unity, and positive attitude at the worksite.

The formal agenda adjourned following the workshop, making way for an evening of camaraderie at the Hideaway Bar & Grill. Secretary Samo again thanked the entire staff for their unwavering commitment throughout 2025. In a reflective moment, he invited each member to describe the past year in two words. Responses included “Reflective,” “Blessed,” “Resilient,” “Perseverance,” “Preparedness,” and “Think-Outside-the-Box,” capturing the spirit of the Department’s journey.

The retreat concluded later in the evening after a shared dinner and planned group activities, leaving staff reinvigorated and aligned for the challenges and opportunities of 2026.

POHNPEI, Federated States of Micronesia — December 30, 2025 — The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs reports the successful conclusion of the 2025 FSM High School Holiday Games, which were held from December 19 to December 29, 2025, at the Pohnpei Gymnasium and the College of Micronesia–FSM National Gym also known as the China-FSM Friendship Gym.

The annual tournament brought together high school teams from across the Federated States of Micronesia, with participation from Pohnpei, Chuuk, and Kosrae States. The Games provided student-athletes with an opportunity to compete at the national level, strengthen teamwork, and promote youth development through sport. Yap State did not participate in this year’s event.

A total of 186 students participated in the tournament, including 148 male students competing in the Boys’ Division and 38 female students competing in the Girls’ Division. The Boys’ Division featured 12 teams, while the Girls’ Division consisted of four teams.

The Girls’ Division final, contested between Calvary Christian Academy (CCA) and Pohnpei Island Central School (PICS), concluded with CCA emerging as the champions following an entertaining and competitive match. Both teams demonstrated discipline, teamwork, and determination, highlighting the continued growth of young women’s participation in school sports and ongoing efforts to strengthen development pathways for girls’ basketball across the FSM.

The Boys’ Division final between Kosrae High School and Chuuk High School concluded with Kosrae High School securing the championship after a tightly contested match that was decided by a buzzer-beater in the final seconds of play. The decisive moment generated strong reaction from spectators in the gymnasium and widespread engagement on social media, as families and supporters followed and shared the outcome across the FSM and among members of the FSM community abroad. The match reflected the high level of competition demonstrated throughout the tournament.

Final Standings — Boys’ Division

• 1st Place: Kosrae High School
• 2nd Place: Chuuk High School
• 3rd Place: Pohnpei Island Central School (Team 1)

Final Standings — Girls’ Division

• 1st Place: Calvary Christian Academy
• 2nd Place: Pohnpei Island Central School
• 3rd Place: Pohnpei Seventh-day Adventist High School

Throughout the Games, organizers emphasized fair play, sportsmanship, and safety, while schools, coaches, and officials worked collaboratively to ensure the smooth delivery of the tournament. Appreciation was extended to the FSM Basketball Federation and the Pohnpei Basketball Association for conducting training sessions for volunteers and for providing trained referees throughout the tournament. Their contributions were instrumental in ensuring that all matches were officiated professionally and that the Games were conducted at a high competitive and organizational standard.

The Department acknowledged the support of partners and sponsors whose contributions were essential to the successful implementation of the Games. Appreciation was extended to the Pohnpei State Government for allowing the hosting of the event and for providing logistical and administrative support. The FSM Olympic Committee was recognized for providing trophies, cases of drinking water, and uniforms for tournament officials.

Acknowledgement was also given to parents and schools for their continued support of student-athletes, including assistance with preparation, travel, and participation, as well as to families and friends whose encouragement contributed to the successful conduct of the Games. The College of Micronesia-FSM was also acknowledged for its support through the provision of expertise and venue for the Games. Appreciation was further extended to private businesses that supported the tournament.

In addition, recognition was extended to the Simina–Palik Administration, noting that the successful implementation of the Games aligns with the Administration’s commitment to ensuring that youth are placed at the center of national development efforts, including programs that promote health, education, discipline, and positive opportunities for young people across the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Department reaffirmed that sports provide not only an opportunity for young athletes to showcase their talents and improve their health, but also a space to demonstrate the values of unity, respect, and community. In this spirit, the 2025 FSM High School Holiday Games reflected the true meaning and spirit of KAMORALE, strengthening bonds among students, schools, and communities throughout the nation.

Yap State, November 25 – 28, 2025

The FSM Maternal and Child Health (MCH and Family Planning Programs successfully concluded their Annual Meeting held in Yap State from November 25 – 28, 2025. This year’s gathering brought together program coordinators and key partners from other programs to review progress, share insight, and strengthen collaboration for the years ahead.

Over the four -day meeting, each sate program presented comprehensive updates, highlighting achievements, ongoing challenges, and innovative approaches implemented to improve the health and wellbeing of women, children, and families throughout the FSM. These updates fostered meaningful dialogue and allowed participants to reflect on collective progress across the nation.

A key outcome of the meeting was a shared commitment to clear strategies moving forward. Participants engaged in structured planning sessions that focused on enhancing service delivery, improving data quality and reporting, promoting outreach and education, and ensuring stronger coordination among state and national partners. The meeting concluded with a renewed determination to advance MCH and Family Planning goals, with an emphasis on sustainability, quality, and equitable access to essential services.

The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs extends its appreciation to the Government of Yap State, recognizing Yap State’s Director of Health, program representatives, key stakeholders from UNFPA, and all partners who contributed to the success of this year’s gathering. Together, we continue to move forward in strengthening the health of families across the Federated States of Micronesia.

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Health and Social Affairs Information and Communications Technology (ICT) Team successfully completed a reverse site visit to the Republic of Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services from November 10 to 14, 2025.

The purpose of the visit was to conduct an in-depth review of Palau’s national Health Information System, Tamanu, which the FSM is preparing to deploy as its unified national health information platform in the near future. 

On November 10, 2025, the FSM delegation was warmly welcomed and greeted by the leadership of the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services during an official courtesy meeting. Following the welcome, the team was guided through a comprehensive observation of Tamanu’s implementation processes, including:

• Governance structures and leadership engagement
• System workflows and operational protocols
• Data security policies and compliance measures

The reverse site visit fostered a strengthened sense of regional collaboration, enabling both nations to exchange insights, align on future implementation strategies, and reinforce shared goals for digital health transformation in the Pacific.

“This monumental and well-coordinated engagement has provided the FSM Health ICT Team with critical operational insights and practical lessons from Palau’s mature Tamanu deployment,” said the FSM Health ICT Team Lead. “We are now better equipped to ensure a smooth, secure, and effective national rollout.”

The visit concluded with mutual commitments to ongoing technical collaboration, knowledge sharing, and joint capacity-building initiatives.

The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs remains on track to begin phased deployment of the Tamanu system across national health facilities in early 2026.

Pohnpei, November 18, 2025 – In a remarkable advancement in enhancing public health infrastructure and improving response capabilities to infectious disease outbreaks, the Japanese Embassy has formally transferred cutting-edge container laboratories to the Department of Health Services in the States of Pohnpei, Kosrae, and Chuuk. This significant handover was attended virtually by state health directors and in person by healthcare professionals from both the national and Pohnpei State Health Services, as well as esteemed representatives from the Japanese Embassy.

During the handover ceremony, His Excellency, Ambassador Nobuo Kagomiya, highlighted the profound significance of this initiative, stating, “These container laboratories represent not only a vital enhancement of our health infrastructure but also a testament to the enduring friendship and cooperative ties between Japan and the Federated States of Micronesia.” This initiative, facilitated through the Japan International Cooperation System (JICS), underscores the support extended by Japan in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mr. Moses Pretrick, Assistant Secretary and proxy for the Secretary of the national health department, conveyed heartfelt appreciation for the generous donation, noting that this collaboration was the culmination of a meticulous process aimed at aligning the facilities with molecular diagnostics standards.

On behalf of the Pohnpei State director, Mr. Semenson Ehpel, Chief of Primary Care, expressed his sincere gratitude to the Government of Japan for this significant contribution. The introduction of the laboratory is expected to alleviate the workload at the hospital laboratory and enhance the efficiency of testing and surveillance activities vital to public health.

Following the official remarks, attendees had the opportunity to tour the newly established container laboratory at the public health division. The program manager of the ELC provided detailed insights into the laboratory’s features, including climate control systems, biosafety measures, and adaptable workspaces, which collectively render these facilities suitable for a diverse array of applications, from routine disease diagnostics to monitoring infectious disease outbreaks.

November 4-6, 2025 — At the Second World Summit for Social Development, the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) called for intensified international cooperation and partnerships to address the multidimensional vulnerabilities faced by Small Island Developing States (SIDS). Secretary of Health and Social Affairs, the Honorable. Marcus Samo, who headed the FSM delegation, delivered a compelling statement, highlighting the unique development trajectory of Micronesia and the country’s ongoing commitment to inclusive and resilient development.

“As a geographically remote and climate-vulnerable Small Island Developing State, Micronesia’s development trajectory is uniquely challenging,” Secretary Samo stated. He emphasized that, despite extensive support from the Compact of Free Association with the United States, FSM’s annual economic growth has stagnated at under 0.3 percent over the past two decades, with more than 41 percent of the population living below the basic-needs poverty line. “ This reality is not merely statistical—it speaks to hardship and a compelling need for urgent action,” he said.

FSM continues to face vulnerabilities from external shocks, including instability in global and regional trade and supply chain markets, which disrupt daily life despite the persistence of a subsistence environment. Private sector activity is limited, comprising only one-fifth of GDP, and regional disparities in wages and access to essential services remain pronounced, particularly in rural communities.

Secretary Samo highlighted that poverty in Micronesia is multidimensional, encompassing limited access to education, healthcare, clean water, food security, and full social participation. The combined impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, frequent natural disasters, and climate change have threatened to widen the development gap between FSM, other Pacific island states, and more developed countries.

Reaffirming Micronesia’s alignment with the 2030 Agenda and the Copenhagen Declaration, Secretary Samo outlined national priorities:

• Creating a regulatory and policy environment that supports private investment and economic diversification.

• Expanding renewable energy and climate-resilient infrastructure.

• Maximizing the value and stewardship of marine resources.

• Promoting food security and healthy living.

He described efforts to strengthen the social protection system, particularly for the informal sector and the most vulnerable. The recently endorsed Social Protection Strategic Plan addresses gender, disability, ageing, and child protection, and the country is intensifying its investments in data collection and cross-sector policy alignment to ensure measurable and accountable progress.

Secretary Samo noted continued challenges of outward migration and workforce diminution, partially mitigated by remittances, and affirmed ongoing gender equality advances through the National Gender Equality Policy.

Micronesia’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations Ambassador Jeem Lippwe, representing the Micronesian delegation in a parallel roundtable dialogue, echoed these priorities and stressed the need for enhanced partnerships and investment to bolster the country’s capacity. “As a small island nation, our capacity to address these challenges independently is limited. International cooperation remains essential,” Ambassador Lippwe stated. He further called on the private sector to foster sustainable growth and on civil society to maintain accountability and advocate for marginalized populations.

In closing, Secretary Samo reiterated that the commitments made in Copenhagen constitute a solemn promise to Micronesia’s people. “The Doha Political Declaration endorsed at this meeting is a reaffirmation. Micronesia stands ready to work with all partners to translate these aspirations into tangible outcomes, so no one is left behind,” he concluded.

Weno, Chuuk — October 31, 2025 — The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) Department of Health and Social Affairs (DHSA) joined national and state representatives at the 2nd FSM Cybersecurity Symposium, held from October 27–31, 2025, at the Chuuk State Government Auditorium. The event was organized by the FSM Department of Justice (DOJ) through its Division of Cybersecurity, in collaboration with NRD Cybersecurity, a Lithuania-based firm specializing in cybersecurity solutions and consulting.

Representing the health sector, Mr. Joey Wichep, National Health Planner, and Mr. Kevin Tugruw, PHIG Evaluator from the FSM DHSA, participated in the weeklong symposium alongside IT staff from the Yap Department of Health and the Chuuk Department of Health. Their participation underscores the FSM health sector’s commitment to strengthening cybersecurity awareness and readiness—particularly as health information systems become increasingly digitized across the country.

The symposium aimed to align the implementation of the 2024 FSM National Cybersecurity Strategy with national and state priorities, enhance coordination across government agencies, and build capacity for critical infrastructure protection and incident response. It also sought to strengthen partnerships with regional and international stakeholders and develop actionable roadmaps for cybersecurity initiatives.

In his opening remarks, the Honorable Aren B. Palik, Vice President of the FSM, emphasized the importance of cybersecurity for national resilience and service continuity, citing recent cyber incidents in the health sector as examples of emerging risks. Other distinguished attendees included the Honorable Carl Apis, Secretary of the Department of Transportation, Communication, and Infrastructure (TC&I); the Honorable Tulensa Palik, Governor of Kosrae; Assistant Attorney General Josephine Joseph; and Assistant Secretary Minoru Stephen, among other national and state officials.

Throughout the week, participants engaged in technical sessions and group exercises facilitated by Dr. Vilius Benetis, CEO of NRD Cybersecurity, and Mr. Paulius Dauksas, Cybersecurity Consultant. Key topics included national cybersecurity governance, incident response, Computer Emergency Response Team (CERT) development, policy frameworks, and workforce development.

A special presentation by Mr. Hagai Mei Zahav from the World Bank highlighted the economic benefits of investing in cybersecurity, noting that stronger cyber resilience contributes to economic growth, improved public service delivery, and accelerated digital transformation.

In addition to the symposium, the DHSA team conducted side meetings with Director Bosco Buliche of the Chuuk Department of Health and CEO Inoufich Shomour of the Chuuk Community Health Center (CHC), to discuss ongoing digital health and operational challenges, including network connectivity issues and infrastructure limitations affecting service delivery.