The Pohnpei Community Health Center (PCHC), in the state of Pohnpei, FSM, was established in July of 1986. The PCHC is located in downtown Kolonia (the main town with a population of approximately 6,000). The PCHC also provides some support to nine dispensary sites in outlying areas of Pohnpei state (there are 6 inhabited islands in Pohnpei state). In the past year the PCHC has switched from the national FSM Ministry of Health as the co-applicant, to the Pohnpei Department of Health Services.
The population of Pohnpei is approximately 35,000 and is primarily Micronesian. The overall FSM population is very young, with 44% of the population under 15 years old. On average, women in FSM have 4.7 children. Nearly 100% of the population lives below the Federal poverty level.
The primary health concerns include the noncommunicable diseases – diabetes, cardiovascular disease and cancer – as well as tuberculosis, Hansen’s disease, sexually transmitted diseases, skin diseases, diarrhea, and poor perinatal outcomes. Public health concerns include lack of potable water and poor sanitation. Outside of the main center, most households still do not have access to public water or sewage systems – 64% of households gather their water from rivers.
Services provided through the Pohnpei CHC include primary medical care, pre and antenatal care, well baby clinics, family planning, immunization, chronic disease management, oral health care, mental health care, health education and counseling, and home visits for the elderly. The Pohnpei Community Health Center anticipates serving approximately 6000 people (15,750 encounters) this year.
