Establishing a National Emergency Medical Team (EMT) in the Federated States of Micronesia (FSM)

Abstract

Background/Introduction:

The Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) is a Pacific Island nation of just over 100,000 people, with 607 islands spread over an ocean territory of over 2.5 million square kilometers. The nation is regularly struck by disasters and outbreaks - most recently Typhoons Wutip and Maysak, which affected populations on hundreds of islands. To strengthen rapid response to future emergencies, the FSM Government, with support from WHO, Japan, and USAID, is now developing a national Emergency Medical Team.¹

Objectives:

To describe the development of FSM’s national EMT.

Method/Description:

FSM’s EMT development began with a workshop facilitated by WHO in November 2019, with participants from the National Department of Health & Social Affairs (DHSA) and representatives from all four of FSM’s State Health Departments. A national EMT focal point was jointly hired by WHO and FSM’s DHSA, a Technical Working Group was established, and SOPs developed. WHO initiated procurement of a tailored Pacific EMT cache for FSM’s EMT, along with other Pacific EMTs. FSM’s EMT development has been slowed by COVID-19, but there are plans to train team members from the country’s four States to be ready for self-sufficient national deployments by early 2023.

Results/Outcomes:

With support from partners, FSM is developing a self-sufficient national EMT capable of rapid response across hundreds of islands spread over a vast ocean territory.

Conclusion:

FSM is strengthening readiness for future emergencies by developing a national EMT capable of rapid response to the most remote and austere post-disaster conditions, including throughout its remote outer islands.