 Secretary Skilling and Ambassador Ronen held meetings with Chuuk LeadershipPalikir, Pohnpei (FSM Information Services): June 29, 2012 - FSM Health and Social Affairs Secretary Vita A. Skilling arrived Chuuk the week of June 18 ahead of H.E. Michael Ronen, Ambassador of the State of Israel to the Federated States of Micronesia, and a small team of kidney specialists. Secretary Skilling, Ambassador Ronen and the Chuuk Leadership held a number of consultations on ways to proceed with the kidney services assistance in Chuuk that is being supported by Israel through arrangements with the FSM Government. The meetings not only emphasized the need for the kidney care services but also the importance of preventing and controlling the Non-communicable diseases, which are the major contributors to the challenges of kidney cares. The meetings resulted in commitments made by the Chuuk State Leadership to undertake needed steps in advancing the project and from the Government of Israel in the provision of technical assistance in such services. All parties agreed that there is need of an integrated plan that links kidney care service with the management of other specific areas of health services as well as the support and infrastructure systems in Chuuk State. The parties envisioned that the overall plan to operate and maintain kidney care may include taxing of targeted commodities that contribute to Non-Communicable diseases and kidney problems to be earmarked for the establishment of a kidney care support fund. Secretary Skilling expressed appreciations to Leadership of Chuuk State on behalf of the FSM and conveyed sincere gratitude to H.E. Ronen for the continuing support from the State of Israel. The kidney specialists who accompanied the Ambassador provided staff training on the operation of the two dialysis units at the Chuuk State Hospital and on evaluation of kidney health on patients at the hospital and a designated clinic. Similar training and clinic services will be done in Pohnpei within the next few weeks. |