Our work in Nauru

The Pacific Islands–WHO Multi-country Cooperation Strategy 2024–2029, or MCCS, developed by the World Health Organization (WHO) through a consultative process involving 21 Pacific Island countries and areas (PICs), outlines WHO’s comprehensive and tailored medium-term support plan in the Pacific. This summary provides an overview of the MCCS, highlighting its alignment with regional and global health strategies.

Like other Pacific islands, Nauru faces a triple burden of communicable diseases, NCDs, and climate- and environment-related health impacts. While there have been improvements, tuberculosis and leprosy remain endemic, and outbreaks of typhoid and diarrhoea occur periodically. NCDs including obesity, diabetes and hypertension are the main causes of mortality, reflecting poor diet, lack of exercise, and high rates of tobacco and alcohol use. As a phosphate-rock island, Nauru is vulnerable to climate change effects. Water and food insecurity worsen health issues. Droughts, fresh-water contamination and reliance on imported processed foods contribute to malnutrition. Limited health system capacity constrains Nauru’s ability to address rising NCDs. Health workforce gaps in numbers, training and diversity result in heavy reliance on external technical assistance. Key strategies for strengthening Nauru’s health system include developing the health workforce, enhancing disease surveillance and response, improving procurement and supply chains, implementing primary care and NCD prevention programmes, and increasing climate change resilience.