Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1698744613867.pdf (Micronesia, Federated States of)
STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-163/H&SA SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MRS. MAGDALENA WALTER TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.

FEBRUARY 02, 2016 The Honorable Wesley W. Simina Speaker, Nineteenth Congress Federated States of Micronesia Third Regular Session, 2016 Dear Mr. Speaker: Your Committee on Health and Social Affairs to which was referred C.R.

No.
No.

19-163, entitled: “A RESOLUTION TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MRS. MAGDALENA WALTER TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.”, begs leave to report as follows: The intent and purpose of this resolution are expressed in its title.
Your Committee held a hearing on January 27, 2016 the witnesses present included: the nominee, Magdalena Walter, the Department of Health and Social Affairs: including the Acting Secretary and his key staff, the Secretary of the Department of Justice, and the President’s Chief of Staff.

Your Committee recognizes the importance of having a strong and efficient National Department of Health and Social Affairs.
The welfare and progress of our nation depends on SCRL 19-103/CR 19-163/H&SA Committee STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-163/H&SA SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MRS. MAGDALENA WALTER TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.

FEBRUARY 02, 2016 having a healthy citizenry.


The Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Affairs, as the highest leadership position dealing with health and social affairs in our Nation, and therefore, is an enormously important post.

In order to ensure the delivery of quality health services all of our citizens the policies and administration of the National Department of Health and Social Affairs must be reviewed and maintained by an efficient administration.
This administration must, in turn, be led by a Secretary who is a strong, competent individual, and has great personal integrity.

It would be in the best interests of our Nation if the individual in this position had many years of experience in the medical field, combined with hospital administration and budget experience, as well as, an in-depth knowledge of the relevant policy and political issues.
All of the above skills, education and experience as set forth in the above paragraph are found in the proposed nominee for Secretary of the Department of Health and Social Affairs, Magdalena A. Walter.

Mrs. Walter received her Bachelor of Nursing Administration in 1978 and her Masters in Nursing Administration in 1991 from the University of Hawaii.

She served at the Pohnpei State Hospital from 1978 to 1998 and progressed from Staff Nurse to Head Nurse to Chief Nurse of the Department of Health Services.
Mrs. Walter went on to serve as in the Pohnpei State Legislature from 2004-2015.

She was Vice-Chairwoman of the Committee on Health and Social Services for three years and Chairwoman of that Committee for eight years.

She served her state with distinction and was very well regarded in the medical community for addressing the policy concerns relating to health issues.

-2- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.
19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-163/H&SA SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MRS. MAGDALENA WALTER TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.

FEBRUARY 02, 2016 The Chairman of your Committee and several of the Committee Members questioned the nominee regarding her accomplishments as a nurse and hospital administrator.

Three specific achievements by the nominee were discussed at length.
First, the nominee stated that initially she worked to define the role of the nurse at the hospital, as nurses were responsible for a wide-range of non-nursing duties when she arrived.

She worked to relieve them of cleaning and menial tasks, as well as, take away tasks like dispensing drugs.

She also worked to ensure that doctors were scheduled for shifts at the hospital so no nurse would ever be in the position to over reach into the doctor’s arena.
Second, the nominee discussed her efforts to assist in setting up the Nurse Licensing Board so uniform minimum standards are in place across the Nation.

Also, this provides for continuing education.

The third example the nominee discussed was her efforts to build up manpower in the area of nursing staff in our Nation.

As a Nation we have always faced a nursing shortage.

Also, the number of FSM citizens who are nurses is low.
In order to increase the number of our citizens that are nurses the nominee has worked hard to have a nursing program established at COM- FSM.

As a legislator she also pushed for appropriations for nursing training.

The nominee was questioned as to whether she would be able to perform the duties as Secretary given her family and business commitments.

She stated that the family business was run by other members of the family and she would decrease her responsibilities in that area.
The nominee stated that nothing in her personal life prevented her traveling and committing completely to the duties and responsibilities of the Secretary.

The several members of the Department of Health and Social Affairs, the President’s Chief of Staff and the Secretary of Justice spoke in support of the nominee.

All of the witnesses were overwhelmingly supportive of the nominee.

Many of the witnesses had previously worked with the -3- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.
19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-163/H&SA SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MRS. MAGDALENA WALTER TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.

FEBRUARY 02, 2016 nominee and attested to her high ethical standards and experience.

It was clear from the detailed comments of the witnesses that this nominee has universal support.
When the Committee inquired as to what the nominee sees as the top priorities for the National Department of Health and Social Affairs she stated that she feels we are in the midst of a health care crisis regarding preventative health.

So many of our people are dying young and much of this suffering could be avoided.

Preventative health would be a priority for her.

She also stated that more needed to be done with medical diagnosis in our Nation.
A high percentage of our referrals, as much as 73%, to the Philippines show that the wrong diagnosis was given in the FSM.

Capacity building, again, has to be a priority.

More equipment and trained staff must be available at our public hospitals and clinics.

The Committee was very impressed with the nominee’s responses during the hearing and her impeccable qualifications.
In light of the overwhelmingly positive endorsements by the witnesses, and lack of even a single negative comment regarding this individual, your Committee strongly requests that this nominee be confirmed as Secretary of Health and Social Affairs at the earliest possible convenience.

-4- STANDING COMMITTEE REPORT NO.

19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.
19-90 RE: C.R.

NO.

19-163/H&SA SUBJECT: TO CONFIRM THE NOMINATION OF MRS. MAGDALENA WALTER TO SERVE AS THE SECRETARY OF THE DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND SOCIAL AFFAIRS OF THE FEDERATED STATES OF MICRONESIA.

FEBRUARY 02, 2016 Your Committee on Health and Social Affairs is in accord with the intent and purpose of C.R.

No.

19-163, and recommends its adoption in the form attached hereto.
Respectfully submitted, /s/ Bonsiano F. Nethon Bonsiano F. Nethon, chairman /s/ Ferny S. Perman Ferny S. Perman, vice chairman /s/ /s/ Tiwiter Aritos /s/ /s/ Florencio S. Harper Tiwiter Aritos, member Florencio S. Harper, member /s/ /s/ David W. Panuelo David W. Panuelo, member /s/ /s/ Joseph J. Urusemal Joseph J. Urusemal, member /s/ Alik L. Alik, member -5-