The $40,425 award was the first EII Grant given to Pohnpei state under the USDA-RD Community Facilities Program.
During the ceremony, Pohnpei Lt. Gov. Churchill Edward pointed to the new ambulance as a physical “testament of the partnership between USDA-RD and Pohnpei state.”
Pohnpei Department of Health Services Director Dr. Elizabeth Keller thanked USDA-RD for its “commitment to helping Pohnpei provide top-rate health services.”
Under the Community Facility Grant Program, USDA-RD provides financial support for emergency service providers, disaster assistance agencies, and other first responders.
According to USDA-RD FSM area Ddrector Gary Bloom, “USDA-RD is committed to the future of rural communities and is proud to have worked with our partner-in-progress, the Pohnpei state government, to facilitate delivery to the Pohnpei State Hospital this critical medical asset.”
USDA-RD commended Keller and her department’s administrative officer Jethro Poll for their tireless efforts to bring the ambulance project to fruition.
The event also served as the certificate ceremony for participants in CPR training sponsored by MAHI International.
Over 120 individuals from the Pohnpei Department of Health Services, Port Authority, and Public Safety participated in the training and received their CPR certification from the American Heart Association.
