About MHHS
Office of the Minister

Welcome to the official website of the Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services!

 

At the Ministry, we are dedicated to promoting the health, well-being, and dignity of every individual in our society. Our mission is to deliver essential healthcare services, protect public health, foster equity, and ensure that everyone—regardless of age, background, or life circumstance—has access to the care and support they need.

 

This website serves as a gateway to the many programs and services we offer. Whether you’re seeking information about healthcare options, mental health support, public health initiatives, or assistance for families and vulnerable populations, you’ll find the resources you need here. We invite you to explore the site, stay informed, and connect with the services you need.

 

Together, let’s continue building a healthier, stronger Palau—because good health is the foundation of a thriving community.

 

– Honorable Raynold B. Oilouch
Vice President and Minister of Health and Human Services

Our Vision

Healthy communities with access to high quality healthcare services

Our Purpose

To provide quality, comprehensive, evidence-based, accessible healthcare services to our patients and community

Our Priorities

✓ Provide accessible and high-quality patient-centered hospital services
✓ Provide accessible and high-quality primary and preventive services
✓ Ensure effective partnerships are developed and maintained
✓ Value our people and support their growth and development
✓ Ensure that our administrative and support services are accountable and sustainable

Bureau of Hospital Services (BHS)
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Clarette Matlab
Director

Delivers emergency, acute, and chronic clinical care through a full range of patient services, including screening, assessment, treatment, rehabilitation, preventative, diagnostic, therapeutic, and palliative care.

This Bureau also oversees essential hospital diagnostic and support services, including laboratory, radiology, rehabilitation, nutrition, infection control, hyperbaric chamber, hemodialysis, and biomedical engineering services

Manages the daily operations and support services of Belau National Hospital, ensuring the efficient operation of hospital facilities, equipment, and essential services.

Chief: Darnelle Worswick

Departments:

  • Facilities and Equipment Department
  • Food Service Department
  • Medical Supply Department
  • Medical Records Department
  • Finance and Administrative Support Department
  • Quality Assurance/Quality Improvement Office
  • Health Information Systems Department

Supports patient care through essential diagnostic, therapeutic, and recovery services that enhance the quality and efficiency of care at Belau National Hospital.

Departments:

  • Laboratory Department
  • Rehabilitation Services Department recovery
  • Pharmacy

Oversees key clinical areas within Belau National Hospital. It works to expand access to specialty care through visiting clinics and medical missions, strengthen and improve local medical services and treatment options, support the development of a skilled and healthy workforce in healthcare.

Departments:

  • Inpatient and Outpatient Services
  • Clinical Epidemiology
  • Hyperbaric Medicine Unit
  • Operating Room Services
  • Emergency Room Services
  • Hemodialysis Unit
  • Medical Referral Program
  • Telemedicine Services

Provides direct patient care and plays a critical role in ensuring the overall quality, safety, and compassion of healthcare at the Belau National Hospital.

It manages all nursing staff and services across hospital departments, including inpatient wards, outpatient clinics, the emergency department, operating room, and specialized units like dialysis and maternity.

The heart of Belau National Hospital’s healing mission

Bureau of Public Health
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Sherilynn Madraisau
Director

The Bureau of Public Health and Human Services protect and promotes the health and well-being of the people in Palau through programs and services focused on disease prevention, wellness, and family support.

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Calvin Johanes
Chief

Protects and improves the Bureau by promoting safe environments across communities in Palau. Through each of its Units, it addresses a wide range of environmental and public health concerns—from household safety to food protection and disease prevention at the national border.

Key Units and Functions: 

  • Community Environmental Health Development Unit
  • Consumer Safety Unit
  • Emerging Issues Unit
  • Vector Control and Health Quarantine Unit
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Janice Mathew
Chief

The Division of Oral Health is dedicated to improve the oral health and well-being of the people of Palau, through a combination of clinical care, community outreach, and school-based prevention programs.

  • Clinical Dentistry at the Belau National Hospital’s Dental Clinic Unit, providing routine and specialized dental treatment.
  • Community Service Unit, conducting outreach and education campaigns to raise awareness about oral hygiene and prevent dental disease.
  • School-based programs, teaching children the importance of lifelong oral health, maintenance and wellness.
  • Dental laboratory, creates dental appliances (crowns, dentures, etc.)
  • Administrative Support Services, ensuring smooth coordination, planning, and delivery of dental services.
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Edolem Ikerdeu
Chief

The Division of Primary and Preventative Health Services delivers accessible, comprehensive, and continuous healthcare services to the people of Palau.

Focusing on preventing illness before worsening and/or requiring advanced treatment. Through regular check-ups, screenings, education, awareness, immunizations, preventative care, and community-based health initiatives, we address health needs early.

Community Health Centers (CHCs):

The CHC’s provide accessible and comprehensive services, designed for all stages of life in Palau, catering to the needs of individuals and families in our communities.

Services Include:

  • Prenatal/postnatal care
  • Gynecological services
  • Family Planning
  • Immunizations
  • Breast and Cervical screenings
  • Walk-in services
  • Well-Baby clinic

Communicable Disease Unit:

The CDU works to detect, prevent, and treat communicable diseases of the people of Palau. This Unit leads efforts in surveillance, education, and care to reduce the spread of infectious disease across the islands.

Services Include:

  • Health Education, Screening, Testing
  • Disease Surveillance
  • Case Investigation and Contact Tracing
  • Care and Treatment programs

Diseases and programs under this unit:

  • Hansen’s disease (Leprosy)
  • HIV/AIDS Prevention and Treatment
  • Viral Hepatitis Services
  • Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
  • Tuberculosis (TB) program

Family Health Unit:
Dedicated to improving health and well-being of all families across Palau by providing comprehensive and high-quality public health and medical services tailored to each stage of life from infantry-adulthood.

Services Include:

  • Gender and Reproductive Health Services
  • Prenatal and Postnatal care
  • Infant and Child Health Services
  • Children with Special Health Care Needs
  • Early Hearing Detection and Intervention
  • Adolescent Health Services
  • Male Health Clinic

Home Health and Geriatric Unit
Provides essential healthcare services to elderly and homebound individuals, ensuring they receive continuous, quality care in the comfort of their own homes. This unit focuses on promoting independence, managing chronic conditions, improving the quality of life for geriatric patients through personalized care plans, regular home visits, and coordination with families and caregivers. By bridging clinical services with community-based support, the unit plays a critical role in supporting aging populations and reducing unnecessary hospitalization.

Immunization Program
A program to protect individuals and the community from preventable infectious diseases by providing safe and effective vaccines.

This program helps:

  • Prevent illness and complications
  • Reduce the spread of contagious diseases
  • Promote long-term community health

Non-Communicable Disease Unit
Leads efforts to prevent, manage, and treat non-communicable diseases. Long-term health conditions that are not spread from person to person, such as diabetes, heart diseases, hypertension, and cancer. These are among the leading causes of illness in Palau.

This Unit works to:

  • Promote healthy lifestyles
  • Provide early detection and screening services
  • Support chronic disease management
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Ritter Udui
Program Manager

Responsible for ensuring timely and effective medical response during emergencies, disasters, and mass casualty events. It provides pre-hospital care, coordinates emergency medical services (EMS), and strengthens the health system’s preparedness and response capabilities.

Works closely with hospitals, clinics, and first responders to deliver life-saving care, conduct emergency drills, and implement disaster risk reduction strategies. Its goal is to safeguard public health through rapid, coordinated, and resilient emergency medical response

Bureau of Health Systems Administration (BHSA)
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Arnice Yuji
Director

The backbone of the Ministry of Health and Human Services; overseeing financial operations, health information systems, policy development, workforce capacity building.

Oversees all financial and budget matters, assets, and project management of MHHS. It prepares, monitors, manages, and reports the Ministry budget as well as financial activities, status, and service fees and revenues, as well as billing and collections.

Units:

  • MHHS Budget and Finance Unit
  • Project and Asset Management Unit

From Epidemiology, to Medical Records, to Health Information systems, and the Ministry’s Reporting. This Division handles: updating, maintaining, and ensuring the confidentiality of medical records and vital statistics.

Information, Technology, and Communication Center
Ensures the secure and efficient operation of electronic medical records, software applications, network systems, and communication tools across health facilities.

Medical Records Unit
Holds accurate documentation and secure storage, as well as confidentiality of patient health records within the MHHS. Ensures that medical records are properly maintained, updated, and accessible to authorized personnel all to support patient care, legal requirements, and health reporting. This Unit plays a critical role in safeguarding patient information, managing vital statistics, and contributing to the overall quality and continuity of healthcare services

Epidemiology Unit
Responsible for monitoring, investigating, and analyzing patterns of diseases and health conditions within the population. It plays a vital role in public health surveillance, outbreak detection and response, and the collection and interpretation of health data to guide evidence-based decision-making. Through continuous monitoring and collaboration with other health units, this Unit helps inform policy, strengthen disease prevention strategies, and protect the health and well-being of communities

Administrative Support Team
Provides essential clerical, logistical, and operational support to ensure the smooth functioning of the Division of Health Information and Intelligence. This team assists with scheduling, documentation, communication, and coordination among units, helping to streamline workflows and maintain organized, efficient operations. By handling day-to-day administrative tasks, the team enables technical staff to focus on core health information and intelligence functions, contributing to the Division’s overall effectiveness and responsiveness.

Units:

  • Community Advocacy Unit
  • Health Planning and Development Unit
  • Health Policy, Research, and Development Unit
  • Global Health Unit

Supports the MHHS achieve its state goals and purpose by these key roles: Service and Administrative Role, Monitoring and Reviewing, Executive Role, Facilitation Role, and Consultancy Role

Workforce Development Office
Dedicated to building and strengthening the skills, knowledge, and capacity of the MHHS staff. It oversees training programs, professional development opportunities, and career advancement initiatives to ensure a competent and motivated health workforce. By fostering continuous learning and supporting staff growth, the office contributes to the overall effectiveness and sustainability of health services in Palau.

Human Resource Office
Manages all aspects of workforce administration within the MHHS, including recruitment, staffing, employee relations, performance management, and compliance with labor regulations. It supports a positive work environment by implementing policies and programs that promote employee well-being, fairness, and professional growth. The office plays a key role in attracting, retaining, and developing a skilled health workforce to meet the mission and goals of the MHHS.

Bureau of Human Services
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Director Name
Director

Division of Aging

Division of Community Support

Division of Family Services

Office of Persons with Disabilities

Bureau of Behavioral Health
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Director Name
Director
Division of Mental Wellness

Division of Mental Wellness

Divison of Psychiatry

Division of Psychosocial Rehabilitation

Boards, Committees, and Advisory Councils
  • • Palau Board of Health Professionals
    • Palau Institutional Review Board (IRB)
    • NCD Collaborative Mechanism (NCD – CM)
    • Data Modernization Advisory Council
    • Palau Behavioral Health Advisory Council
    • Palau Healthcare Coalition