15 Dec 2015

Taiwan to take medical referrals from Nauru

10:07 am on 15 December 2015

Nauru is to have Taiwan take its medical referrals.

The barren and bankrupt island state of the Republic of Nauru awaits the arrival of refugees, 11 September 2001. Just 25 square kilometres, Nauru has been devastated by phosphate mining which once made the Micronesians the second wealthiest people per capita on earth. AFP PHOTO/Torsten BLACKWOOD

The Republic of Nauru Photo: AFP

The deal will mean Nauruans will be able to get tertiary level care that is not available at Nauru's hospital.

It will include help for cancer and heart patients.

For a number of years Taiwan has been sending medical specialists to Nauru for short stints.

The island only has rudimentary health facilities and historically there has been a lot of reliance on services in Australia.