The United States government is conducting an assessment of whether it can set up dialysis facilities in the three Micronesian countries.
The Department of Interior is funding the feasibility study in response to concern expressed by the US Congress over high costs of US states providing dialysis treatment to patients from the Federated States of Micronesia, the Marshall Islands and Palau.
Several years ago, the government of Taiwan donated two dialysis units to Majuro hospital, which were installed but never used.
A later feasibility assessment by Taiwan medical officials determined the service was not feasible to operate in Majuro and the equipment was mothballed.
New assessments have now been made in Palau, Pohnpei, Chuuk, Kosrae and Majuro.
