Under a bright sunny day, today, Wednesday, April 26, 2017, the newly created Palau Adventist Wellness Center, in a simple, beautiful ribbon cutting ceremony, opened its doors to serve the people of Palau. The Center, abbreviated as PAWC, working under the umbrella of “Do All Things in Love (Palau), Inc.”, started today to offer dental clinics and will offer eye clinics in the near future. Eventually it will offer specialized medical services as more equipment and doctors are brought in. The purpose of the Center is to make available health and medical services that are not readily available and to support hospital and other clinics in Palau. Mostly importantly, the Center will conduct health education and training aimed at improving overall health in the community and to help curve the rise of non-communicable diseases (NCDs) in Palau.
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The Center is headed by Dr. Steve Chang, President, from Monterrey, California and is located at Tuker at Ngerkesoaol Hamlet of Koror. The land and building were donated by High Chief Yutaka Gibbons; the building was renovated by Surangel and Sons with Mr. & Mrs. Whipps personally overseeing the construction work and furnishing of the housing units on the second floor; equipment and materials were donated by supporters in the United States; a cargo container with the equipment was shipped to Palau free of charge by Matson Navigation; import taxes waived by the National Treasury; the local community donated more than $110,000.00 in cash to purchase many supplies and other needed equipment. Many people donated their valuable time, energy, efforts as well as food to get the Center up and ready for the opening. For all the valuable assistance, Bilung Gloria Salii, Vice President of PAWC, expressed and extended deep appreciation during the ceremony.
The Center will be operated by volunteer doctors and other health professional from the United States who will visit on a rotation basis to offer their specialities throughout the year. When specific services become available, the community will be notified so interested persons may schedule appointments to see the doctor of their choice.
There was a good turnout for the opening ceremony with a brief program of welcome, special remarks by Dr. Chang about his dream of the Center in Palau becoming a reality, congratulatory remarks by Pastor Louis Torres, and messages of appreciation by Bilung.
Several members of the Palau Traditional Council of Chiefs present with High Chief Ibedul and Madrengebuked Thomas Remengesau, the members of the PAWC Board, and other leaders on hand got to do the ribbon cutting after which a tour of the Center took place and refreshments were served. In keeping with the motto of promoting health mentally, physically, socially and spiritually, refreshments consisted of fruits and water only! The Center may be contacted at 488-3061. The PAWC is the second health wellness center that’s opened in Palau recently! Congratulations! [/restrict]