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PACIFIC BRIEFS
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Posted on Feb 22 2001
STDs on the rise In Marshalls
MAJURO, Marshall Islands (PIR) — The rate of two sexually transmitted diseases, syphilis and gonorrhea, increased significantly from 1999 to 2000, Ministry of Health statistics show.
Although the number is relatively small, health officials said that the number of confirmed cases normally reflects just a fraction of the actual incidence of the diseases, the Marshall Islands Journal reported.
The number of syphilis cases rose sharply for men, from 11 positive in 1999 to 25 last year. The number of women’s cases increased from 53 to 64.
Gonorrhea also showed an increase. The number of women’s cases increased from two to four. Men’s cases increased from 16 to 18.
FSM seeks satellite funding from Japan
PALIKIR, FSM (PIR) — President Leo Falcam, on behalf of the governments of three Micronesian nations, has forwarded to Japan a joint proposal to establish a satellite communications network for the vast Micronesia region.
Falcam said by closing the “digital divide,” the challenges constantly faced by widely scattered island nations would be greatly minimized.
The proposed project involves the governments of Palau and the Marshall Islands in addition to the Federated States of Micronesia.
The three countries seek project funding from Japan’s Oversees Development Assistance organization.
