Public and Private Partnerships

The Health Care Delivery system in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) involves a collaborative effort between the MCH Program and other Federal Programs providing preventive care services to serve the MCH population domains. The State leadership has established policies and passed State laws to waive costs of health care for all MCH population domains. The overall goal for this collaborated effort is to ensure delivery of quality health care and needed services for the MCH population.

The state health care delivery system is divided into clinical and preventative health and is managed by a Director. The day‑to‑day management and operation of the MCH Program rests with the MCH Coordinator who is supervised by the chief of public health.  In the provision of direct services to the women of child‑bearing age population, the other public health staff nurses, state hospital physicians and nursing staff assist the coordinator. 

A significant role that MCH plays towards ensuring access to healthcare is by working towards reducing barriers to access. The inability to pay or lack of insurance is often cited as a major obstacle in seeking preventive healthcare. For the FSM, federally funded programs’ commodities and services are provided at no cost to the client. FSM has a Health Insurance Program known as “Mi-Care” Insurance Program.  Mi-Care is optional for private businesses and State Government employees however it is mandatory enrollment of all National Government employees.

The Department of Health Services (DHS) in each of the four (4) States is responsible for running curative, preventive and public health services, including the main hospital, peripheral health centers, and primary health care centers. There is a main public hospital in each of the four states. The health care system in FSM is provided by both public and private health care facilities. The facilities provide wide range of health care services from outpatient services to certain surgical procedures.  However, there are some specific tests and procedures that these facilities cannot perform due to lack of medical specialists, specific diagnostic procedures and various types of complicated health care services and medical equipment, which cause patients to be referred off-island. The Title V MCH Program funds provided the critically needed funding that makes a major difference for families in the FSM.  The MCH and other federally funded programs are at the “core” or the main pillars to provide needed preventive services for families in the FSM.

Part of the Healthcare delivery system for the people of the FSM is through partnership with affiliated entities and health consultancies from the United States of America.