Dr. Keriang Ngirmang

Dr. Keriang Ngirmang is a senior medical officer at Belau National Hospital (BNH) in Koror, Palau's main healthcare facility and national referral hospital. With 11 years of clinical experience, Dr. Ngirmang provides comprehensive primary and secondary care for Palau's population of approximately 18,000 people across the Palauan archipelago.

Palau faces significant NCD challenges including high rates of diabetes, hypertension, and obesity. While Palau's per capita income is higher than many Pacific island nations — supported by tourism revenue — specialist medical services remain very limited. Complex cases requiring specialist intervention (cardiology, oncology, advanced surgery, specialist paediatrics) are referred to Guam or the Philippines, the standard referral destinations for Palauan patients under the government's medical referral programme.

Dr. Ngirmang is bilingual in English and Palauan. His practice reflects the challenges and rewards of being a generalist physician serving a small island community, where he must manage the full spectrum of medical presentations with resourcefulness and strong clinical judgment.

Dr. Ngirmang completed his MD at the University of Hawaii John A. Burns School of Medicine, reflecting Palau's Compact of Free Association relationship with the United States, which provides Palauans with access to US educational institutions and services. He holds a Diploma in Primary Care and ACLS certification.

He completed clinical attachments at Guam Regional Medical City — the standard referral destination for Palauan patients — gaining experience in managing the conditions most commonly referred from Palau. He participates in the Pacific Open Learning Health Net (POLHN) continuing medical education programme and has completed WHO NCD management training.

Dr. Ngirmang's clinical practice encompasses the management of NCDs — particularly type 2 diabetes, hypertension, and obesity — which represent the largest portion of adult morbidity in Palau. He manages diabetes comprehensively including insulin initiation, complication screening, and diabetic foot assessment.

For infectious diseases, Dr. Ngirmang manages tuberculosis (applying Palau's national TB protocols), dengue fever, and general respiratory and gastrointestinal infections. He provides emergency stabilisation for acute presentations, coordinates with Guam or the Philippines for patients requiring specialist evacuation, and provides antenatal care and childhood immunisation.

Dr. Ngirmang is dedicated to serving Palau's communities and improving health outcomes in this small island nation. He has contributed to Palau's NCD STEPS Survey data and participated in Pacific NCD Forum discussions on best practices for small island health systems.

He collaborates with the Palau Ministry of Health, WHO Western Pacific, and the Pacific Community (SPC) on NCD surveillance and prevention activities. He participates in the Pacific Open Learning Health Net continuing education and contributes to Palau's national health strategic planning process.

Belau National Hospital serves Palau's population and receives patients from Palau's outer islands. Specialist care is referred to Guam or the Philippines through the government's medical referral programme. International visitors — Palau receives significant tourist numbers for scuba diving — who need medical care should attend BNH's outpatient department.

Dr. Ngirmang and his team are experienced in providing initial assessment and emergency stabilisation for international visitors and in coordinating medical evacuations to Guam when specialist care is required. Comprehensive medical evacuation insurance is strongly recommended for all visitors to Palau.

Dr. Ngirmang has been recognised by the Palau Ministry of Health for his clinical contributions to primary care and NCD management at Belau National Hospital. He has received acknowledgement from the WHO Western Pacific Regional Office for participation in Palau's NCD surveillance activities.