By: L.N. Reklai
January 22, 2018 (Koror, Palau) Respiratory disease was the leading cause of deaths in 2017 according to data released by the Ministry of Health. Respiratory disease refers to illnesses that affect organs and tissues that make breathing possible.
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Of the 184 reported deaths in 2017, 42 were caused by respiratory disease, 36 were caused by heart disease and 17 caused by cancer. 16 deaths have unknown causes and 14 deaths were bacterial related. Liver failure resulted in 10 deaths and kidney failures or kidney related illness caused 10 deaths. 9 deaths were results of injuries. Hemorrhagic shock, neonatal, nervous system disease, old age, dengue, metabolic disorder and other complications were listed causes of deaths in 2017.
Out of 184 deaths in 2017, 111 were male and 73 were female. Also four deaths in 2017 were caused by suicide with all victims males with youngest at 18 years of age and the older at 62 years of age.
MOH also reported total number of births in 2017 at 221, with 109 females and 112 males, exceeding number of deaths by only 37. Number of male births only exceeded number of male deaths by 1 in 2017.
Number of cases of medically referred patients to health centers outside of Palau was 198. 160 were referred to Taiwan and 60 were referred to Philippines and 18 to Hawaii. Total cost medical cost of referred patients was $1.5 million far below 2016 and 2015 numbers.
Minister of Health Dr. Emais Roberts attributed the cut in medical referral costs to higher utilization of visiting specialists and hiring of orthopedic doctor.
Minister Emais expects to further reduce the cost by hiring an eye doctor. “Due to high rate of diabetes in Palau, there is an increase in number of eye related problems and having an ophthalmologist will help reduce number of referral cases.” [/restrict]
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