Koror, Palau – The Republic of Palau and the U.S. Embassy have signed an agreement for a $2.37 million grant from the U.S. Trade and Development Agency (USTDA) to conduct a feasibility study for a new Belau National Hospital. The study will assess potential sites for the facility, aiming to ensure patient safety and address current vulnerabilities.
Palau’s President, Surangel S. Whipps, Jr., attended the signing ceremony on Oct. 23, 2024, at the President’s Office, where Minister of Public Infrastructure and Industry Charles Obichang and U.S. Ambassador to Palau Joel Ehrendreich formalized the agreement
Currently, three states have offered to host the new hospital. Airai, Koror and Ngatpang governments have passed resolutions offering their public lands as potential sites for the relocation of the Belau National Hospital. Koror State specifically had offered three potential sites within their state for the hospital to be relocated.
Built in 1993 with U.S. Department of Interior funding, Palau’s only hospital, the Belau National Hospital (BNH), is located in an area prone to storm tides. On two occasions, patients had to be evacuated to higher ground due to severe weather.
The issue of relocating the hospital from its current site to another location was raised as early as July of 2019 when the Senate of the 10th OEK proposed a bill to relocate the hospital to a more secure location due to the impact of climate change.
President Whipps acknowledged the public’s concerns about the aging facility and its need for replacement.
“We deeply appreciate USTDA’s support for the feasibility study. Relocating and upgrading the Belau National Hospital will significantly enhance our healthcare capacity, especially in addressing the growing challenges of climate change,” said Whipps. He also emphasized the potential to expand healthcare services for veterans, ensuring that the new facility can cater to the specific needs of those who served in the U.S. military.
Ambassador Ehrendreich emphasized the broader significance of the partnership, stating, “This collaboration strengthens the longstanding relationship between the United States and Palau, advancing healthcare and building resilience for a sustainable future in the Pacific region.”
The feasibility study is a crucial first step in identifying a safe and sustainable location for the new hospital, to improve healthcare services and protect vulnerable communities in Palau.