On September 26, 2024, Acting WHO Representative (WR) Dr. Josaia Tiko paid a courtesy visit to the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs. Dr. Tiko was received by Acting Secretary Moses Pretrick and his staff, where they discussed ongoing collaborations and the support efforts provided by WHO to the Department. Dr. Tiko is serving as Acting WR for FSM, Palau, and RMI until December 2024, assisting with the transition of the WHO Office in Pohnpei from a Country Liaison Officer (CLO) to a WR office. The Department welcomes Acting WR Dr. Josaia Tiko to his new post within the FSM.
On September 19, 2024, UNFPA Pacific Resident Representative and Director, supported by the UNFPA-FSM team, had a courtesy meeting with FSM DHSA Acting Secretary Hon. Moses Pretrick and key department staff. The objective of the courtesy meeting is to strengthen partnership and collaboration between UNFPA and DHSA, discuss the implementation of MCP7 implementation, and explore how UNFPA can better tailor its support to FSM DHSA.
August 13, 2024 – FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs successfully convened and facilitated the 1st FSM Pharmaceutical Unit Technical Committee meeting in Weno, Chuuk from August 6-7, 2024 with support from the World Health Organization (WHO). This important meeting brought together pharmacists/pharmacy supervisors from the four FSM state hospitals, and representatives from the FSM Customs and Tax Head Quarters Office, the DHSA Food Safety Program and the Pharmaceutical Unit to:
Discuss, formalize and elect officers for the committee which was established to assist the Pharmaceutical Unit in ensuring public’s access to good quality, safe and effective medicines;
Formulate the committee’s workplan;
Review drafted regulations and guidelines for the licensing of pharmaceutical establishments in FSM; and
Join the conversation to raise awareness on the new law on nicotine delivery systems including e-cigarettes.
The meeting was initially planned for three days, however, the committee managed to complete the scheduled activities within two days satisfying all the meeting objectives.
FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs and the Pharmaceutical Unit Technical Committee express their gratitude to the sponsor (WHO) and Chuuk State Health Services for hosting the meeting.
July 22-26, 2024, Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands – A high-level delegation from the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) participated in the 15th Triennial Conference of Pacific Women, the 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women, and the 2024 Pacific Islands Forum Women Leaders in Majuro, Republic of the Marshall Islands. These three distinct meetings were condensed into one week, with discussions centered on gender issues informed by regional and international policy frameworks aimed at advancing gender equality.
The FSM delegation included high-level women lawmakers (National and State Senators) such as FSM Senator Perpetua S. Konman, Senator Merlynn Abello-Alfonso, Senator Yoslyn G. Sigrah, and Pohnpei State Senator Herolyn S. Movick. The delegation was also accompanied by technical and legal staff from the FSM Congress, FSM President’s Chief of Staff Mrs. Jane J. Chigiyal, and technical and legal staff from the executive branches of the FSM and State governments, as well as representatives from the Chuuk Women’s Council, a CSO/NGO.
Around 300 participants from across the Pacific attended the Triennial Conference, where key gender priorities in the region were discussed, including women’s health, gender-responsive climate justice, and the prevention of gender-based violence (GBV). The week also provided a valuable opportunity for regional partners, government representatives, advocates, and members of civil society organizations to network and share common interests.
FSM’s interventions were delivered by various members of the delegation. The 8th Meeting of Pacific Ministers for Women provided a platform for sharing achievements and lessons among Pacific countries and territories. During the meeting, Secretary Marcus Samo emphasized, “Investing in strategic and targeted measures for women’s health is not new for FSM.” The FSM was commended for its efforts to increase access to pap smear screening through its telepathology program and cervical cancer screening and testing, both aimed at ensuring that “no woman is left behind.”
Senator Perpetua S. Konman highlighted the importance of gender equality and sexual reproductive health and rights (SRHR) educational programs in primary and secondary schools, including menstrual hygiene education. Senator Merlynn Abello-Alfonso addressed the impact of climate change on human health, stating, “Our women and girls in small island states suffer disproportionately from its impacts, especially those with disabilities, and those living in remote, marginalized, or hard-to-reach areas.”
Senator Yoslyn G. Sigrah spoke on the issue of Gender-Based Violence (GBV) and its impacts on women’s lives, including limitations on their participation in economic and political platforms, education and employment opportunities in science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), and autonomy over their own bodies and health, including sexual health.
Pohnpei State Senator Herolyn S. Movick discussed the importance of connecting Pacific regional frameworks to national institutions and mechanisms for gender. She shared that FSM has integrated gender into its laws and policies and has established a Gender Equality Policy. Senator Movick emphasized FSM’s commitment to a whole-of-government approach to mainstreaming gender across all sectors and called for regional cooperation, particularly in technical support, to ensure sustainable implementation and monitoring of gender goals in FSM.
Chief of Staff Mrs. Jane Chigiyal, who holds a key role in gender mainstreaming, advocated for the comprehensive dissemination of gender frameworks to assist government duty bearers at the national and state levels in integrating gender into their policies and programs. Her presence at the meetings reflected FSM’s commitment to advancing gender equality for sustainable development and economic growth.
The FSM delegation also paid a courtesy visit to President Hilda C. Heine of the Republic of the Marshall Islands. The visit strengthened bilateral relations and underscored the importance of cooperation between the two countries.
The FSM Delegation also underscored the urgency of addressing cervical cancer in the region, advocating for increased support in financing the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine.
While the FSM delegation’s interventions covered each main agenda point, they were encapsulated in Secretary Marcus Samo’s statement: “Advancing gender equality is not only the right thing to do. It’s good for development, and it’s good for any country’s GDP. It is everybody’s business.” Secretary Samo called for greater investment in gender equality and development.
All members of the FSM Delegation played vital roles and left with a deeper understanding of the interconnectedness of gender equality and development at both international and regional levels.
August 9, 2024, Pohnpei State– FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs successfully hosted the second 17 & Under FSM Basketball and Volleyball Games, a crucial event aimed at promoting youth athletic development and a platform for promoting health, goodwill and unity.
Initially planned to take place in Yap but due to challenges with flight schedule the venue was changed to Pohnpei who hosted the previous year. The Games saw athletes from Chuuk and Pohnpei come together to compete, while Yap and Kosrae were unable to participate.
The opening ceremony was held on July 31, 2024 with 107 athletes participating in basketball and volleyball. Hosted at the Pohnpei State Gymnasium, the event saw Chuuk State field one boys’ team and one girls’ team in both basketball and volleyball, while Pohnpei entered two boys’ teams and one girls’ team. The matches were fiercely competitive, showcasing the incredible skill and unwavering determination of these young athletes.
The tournament concluded on August 8, 2024, after several thrilling matches. The results are as follows:
Boys’ Basketball Division: Pohnpei Team 1 clinched first place dethroning the previous year’s winners., followed by Chuuk in second, and Pohnpei Team 2 in third.
Girls’ Basketball Division: Chuuk girls emerged as champions, also dethroning the previous year’s winners and Pohnpei girls came in second .
Boys’ Volleyball Division: Pohnpei Team 1 took the championship, with Chuuk securing second place, and Pohnpei Team 2 finishing third.
Girls’ Volleyball Division: Chuuk girls won the title, defeating Pohnpei girl’s team.
The FSM Government extends its gratitude to all who contributed to the success of this event, from the organizers to the athletes. The games not only showcased the talents of the young participants but also reinforced the importance of fostering healthy lifestyles for the future of the FSM. Your support made this event possible, and together, we have inspired a brighter future for our young athletes. “BETTER HEALTH FOR ALL”
Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) is crucial for the success of any immunization program. Proper storage and transportation of vaccines at recommended temperatures are critical for maintaining their potency and effectiveness, ultimately ensuring protection of the health of communities.
The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs (DoHSA) is advancing its immunization programs with the Effective Vaccine Management (EVM) Assessment Assessor Workshop at Pohnpei State Hospital. The five-day workshop, facilitated by UNICEF and national EPI program focal points, aims to strengthen vaccine management systems across the region. It gathered immunization focal points from the four FSM state public health departments, representatives from the Palau EPI unit, and EPI specialists from the World Health Organization (WHO) in the FSM.
Chief of Public Health Dr Eliaser Johnson, speaking on behalf of Director Penias of Pohnpei State Health Department, highlighted the importance of strong coordination between state and national teams in his welcoming remarks. “Together, we can make a significant impact on public health and move closer to a world where preventable diseases are a thing of the past,” Dr Johnson stressed.
In his opening remarks, Acting Secretary of FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs Mr. Moses Pretrick underscored the workshop’s importance in equipping state EPI focal points with the latest EVM tools and methodologies. “Building local capacity for effective vaccine management assessments allows FSM to continually improve practices and enhance immunization programs,” Mr Pretrick stated.
UNICEF FSM Chief of Field Office, Mr. Cromwell Bacareza also emphasized the importance of strong partnerships for a successful EVM assessment in his introductory remarks. “Partnering with national and local health authorities is key to implementing the EVM assessment and improvement plans. Ongoing monitoring will sustain these improvements and tackle new vaccine management challenges,” Mr. Bacareza stated.
The workshop marks the first step in a comprehensive EVM assessment. Over the next few weeks, trained assessors will use EVM tool version 2.1 to evaluate nine critical areas of immunization supply chain system. UNICEF will then assist in analyzing the data, compiling the report, and developing the Effective Vaccine Management Country Improvement Plan (EVM cIP).
The FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs thanks UNICEF for its ongoing support and all participants for their active engagement in the effective vaccine management assessment. This collaboration is vital for advancing immunization efforts and improving public health outcomes.
Palikir, Pohnpei – April 28, 2024 – The Federated States of Micronesia Department of Health & Social Affairs concluded its 2024 Health Summit held from April 22-26, 2024 in Palikir, Pohnpei. The event brought together leaders from the National and State Governments, program managers and staff, stakeholders, partners, and members from the communities to deliberate on strategies to advancing the nation’s health in 2024 and beyond.
Delivering the keynote address, The Honorable Vice President Aren B. Palik highlighted the healthcare challenges confronting the FSM, emphasizing the shortage of skilled personnel, the need for enhanced professionalism among healthcare practitioners, technological gaps, and the imperative for life-saving treatments to elevate healthcare services. The Vice President underscored the ongoing shortfall of proficient doctors and nurses while acknowledging the current effort of College of Micronesia-FSM in graduating new nurses. The Vice President also indicated to the audience that as a Nation we “need to do more” if we are to meet the demand for better and more complex healthcare need of the people in the coming days. The Vice President concluded his statement by reaffirming to the 300 plus audience to keep in mind that in everything we do “ unity is our strength and prosperity”, which is also the vision of the Simina-Palik Administration theme.
The five-day Health Summit structured around technical meetings and workshops. Several thematic areas surfaced from the discussions and summarized in seven categories: (1) Leadership, Governance and Management, (2) Human Resources for Health, (3) Health Service Delivery, (4) Health Information, Planning & Surveillance, (5) Health Through the Life Course, (6) Social and Environmental Determinants of Health, and (7) Health Financing.
Throughout the Health Summit, technical experts from local, regional and international organizations, including representatives from the UN Agencies (WHO, UNICEF, UNFPA, UNDP, FAO), World Bank, ADB, JICA, SPC, Pacific Island Health Officers Association (PIHOA), Association of State and Territorial Health Organization (ASTHO), COM-FSM and other partners, contributed valuable insights and recommendations to inform the formulation of strategic policies. The Minister of Health and Human Services from the Republic of Palau, the Hon. Gaafar Uherbelau, was also present and provided valuable advice as well as real-life experience from Palau.
The participants adopted universal health coverage for all as the unified vision for the next Framework for Sustainable Health Development in the Federated States of Micronesia: 2024-2034, which was the hallmark of the Summit, and lead to its endorsement by the Chief Executives. Additionally, the following documents were also launched: FSM Early Childhood Development Policy (2024-2028), Nutrition Action Plan (2020-2030), Healthy Eating Guidelines (2023-2027), and National Operational Guidelines on Adolescent and Youth-Friendly Health Services 2024.
As the FSM embarks on this transformative journey towards achieve its goal “Better Health for All”, the momentum generated by the National Health Summit signals a pivotal moment in the nation’s healthcare trajectory. In closing the Summit on behalf of His Excellency Wesley W. Simina, Secretary Marcus Samo remarked “our Unity is our Strength and Prosperity. We believe in the power and strength of unity. We believe in leaving no communities behind”. Secretary Samo concluded by saying that the outlook for health development is exciting. There are opportunities ahead; we need to take bold steps to achieve better health for all.
