Hospital Ship Services to Remote Islands in Palau

Summary

Peace Winds has outfitted and staffed a hospital ship (The Ibuki) to be deployed to provide basic medical services to the Republic of Palau (island nation comprised of over 340 islands in the Western Pacific). The Ibuki Hospital Ship will provide basic hospital services, health check-ups, and capacity building for the prevention of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Palau's remote islands beginning in October 2021.

$100,000
total goal

$99,980
remaining

1
donor

0
monthly donors

2
months

Challenge

With a small and dispersed land mass, Palau is geographically distant to international markets and vulnerable to environmental changes such as natural disasters and climate change. Access to adequate medical services are extremely limited due to the remote location of many islands and the chronic shortages of healthcare providers. Highest developmental priority is the provision of accessible and high-quality patient-centered hospital services.

Solution

By implementing this project, the quality and access to medical services will be improved in remote islands through mobile clinics on a hospital ship. Expertise on prevention and control of NCDs in Japan will be incorporated into the program. In addition to medical services, the project aims to bring sustainable solutions to improve the prevention and control of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) by providing trainings to personnel working in fields of community healthcare.

Long-Term Impact

Expected Outcomes: 1. Improved access to basic hospital services -- Through medical team comprised of doctor and nurses, the project will increase access to medical services across remote islands over 3 year project. 2. Utilization of advanced medical equipment on board will promote NCD prevention and control measures in the remote islands. 3. Japan's NCDs-related experience will be shared through the curriculum and will contribute in improved capacity of Palau limited healthcare personnel.