By: Summer Kennard
KOROR, Palau (Aug. 28, 2025) — The Ministry of Health announced a major restructuring on Wednesday with the signing of Executive Order 496, which reorganizes three of its divisions into separate bureaus.
Director Madraisau of Public Health stated that the order reorganizes the Division of Public Health, the Division of Behavioral Health, and the Division of Social Services into independent bureaus, all operating under the ministry’s umbrella.
“This is a critical milestone not just for the Ministry of Health but for health services in general,” Madraisau said at a press conference. “The functions of each bureau will remain the same, but there will be additional services under the new divisions to expand our service offerings.”
The restructuring is intended to streamline operations while maintaining coordination across the ministry, Madraisau said. By establishing dedicated bureaus, the ministry aims to improve efficiency, transparency, and focus, while ensuring each bureau can pursue specialized services and regulatory improvements without overlapping or interfering with one another.
A Public Health staff member welcomed the move, noting that the reorganization offers both autonomy and cohesion. “It’s good because we are still under the same ministry but have our own little bureau so there can be new regulations or services and won’t affect the other bureaus,” the staff member said.
The ministry said the changes are designed to support growth in health and social services, while giving each bureau the flexibility to innovate and adapt to the country’s evolving needs.