The Republic of Palau is a small country in the western Pacific comprised of more than 340 islands. About half the country's population lives in rural areas or remote islands where they have little to no access to basic health care. Peace Winds has outfitted and staffed a former cargo ship, called the Kensing (rhymes with the Japanese for "checkup"), which travels to these remote areas and allows doctors and nurses to conduct screenings for non-communicable diseases (NCDs).
Palau's only national hospital is located in Koror, the largest city, leaving rural areas without access to basic healthcare. Some of the most remote islands have clinics that are understaffed and under-resourced, and many people go years or decades between routine health checks. Non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like heart disease, diabetes, and hypertension have been on the rise in recent years, and few Palauans have the resources to prevent, detect, or treat these diseases.
Alongside local doctors, health centers, and the Palau Ministry of Health, Peace Winds provides essential health screenings to Palauans who might not otherwise receive them. The equipment aboard the Kensing measures basic metrics like height, weight, and blood pressure, but patients also receive more in-depth tests such as blood and urine screenings or even EKGs. Peace Winds also hosts booths at local night markets to engage in health-related conversations with community members.
In addition to providing health screenings, Peace Winds is working to educate community members on how to live healthy lives and prevent and manage NCDs. This includes conversations with patients during their visits to the Kensing, hosting booths at Palau's night markets where residents can speak to doctors and nurses about how to best manage their health, and getting children excited to learn about healthy living with the Kenshin mascot, Toktang the surgeonfish.
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