Pohnpei Public Information
PEI LAPALAP, Pohnpei — Governor Stevenson A. Joseph and Lt. Governor Herolyn S. Movick received a delegation of visiting medical specialists from Fiji National University (FNU) at the Governor’s Office on Thursday. The visiting delegation included Dr. Mai Ling S. Perman, Head of School of Medical Sciences at the College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences; Dr. Vikash Sharma, Internal Medicine Specialist; Dr. Julia Sign, Obstetrics and Gynecology Specialist; Dr. Shivani Shailin, Emergency Medicine Specialist; and Dr. Haikiu Taukave, Surgeon. Accompanying the visiting team were Dr. Payne Perman and Dr. Ratu Cakobau, Acting Chief of Medical Services, who participated in discussions focused on building sustainable healthcare infrastructure and expanding medical education opportunities in Pohnpei. Dr Mayleen Ekiek, Representative from the FSM Department of Health and Social Affairs, also joined the group.
The official visit represents a crucial advancement in long-term strategic planning to establish a structured medical internship program at Pohnpei State Hospital. The visiting FNU medical specialists are currently conducting on-site evaluations to assess hospital capacity, caseloads, clinical supervision structures, and existing operational capabilities required to host a robust residency and internship pipeline.
During the meeting, state leadership and visiting experts addressed critical structural gaps in local physician career pathways, specifically identifying a missing entry-level internship tier for newly graduated medical professionals. To support the execution of the program, a supplementary budget dedicated to supporting medical interns is being established, backed by complementary financial assistance from the FSM National Government.
Dr. Mai Ling S. Perman, Head of the School of Medical Sciences at Fiji National University, emphasized that Pohnpei State Hospital possesses the necessary foundation to run a successful clinical training program, citing sufficient patient caseloads, qualified medical supervisors, and support mechanisms from regional partners such as the Pacific Community (SPC), which will assist with short-term specialized courses.
The proposed training framework will prioritize competence, clinical safety, and accreditation standards. In addition to technical medical training, the initiative emphasizes essential professional skills, including bedside manner and direct patient communication. The program will also extend training opportunities to nursing staff, establishing clear career progression routes to transition to Physician I roles.
“We are happy to see light at the end of the tunnel for building the capacity of our newly graduated physicians,” said Governor Stevenson A. Joseph. He further noted that establishing a structured, accredited internship program right here at home ensures our healthcare professionals receive the training they need while serving our community with high-quality, compassionate care.
The Pohnpei State Government Department of Health and Social Services and FNU specialists will continue collaborative assessments over the coming days to finalize the program structure, curriculum requirements, and operational roadmap for implementation.
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