NMC at a Glance
Nauru Medical Centre (NMC) is the central institution of Nauru’s national health system and a core pillar of the Government of Nauru’s long-term healthcare reform agenda.
Infrastructure
65-bed national hospital, including:
- 13-bed Acute Critical Care Unit
- 4-bed Paediatric Intensive Care Unit (PICU)
- 8-bed Paediatric Unit
- 8-bed Emergency Department
- 12-bed dialysis unit offering routine and emergency dialysis services
Radiology services including CT, X-ray, and specialty ultrasound (OBGYN and cardiac)
Advanced laboratory facilities supporting complex diagnostic and preventative testing
Workforce
Approximately 40 general and specialist doctors across the national health system
Over 120 nursing personnel across intensive care, emergency, paediatric, and general services
Allied health professionals including physiotherapists and laboratory scientists
Multidisciplinary workforce combining local clinicians, international staff, and visiting specialists
National Context & Role
Serving the Entire Nation
Serves a national population of approximately 12,000 people
Publicly Funded, Universal Care
Operates within a universal, publicly funded health system
Integrated Local Care and Overseas Referral Coordination
Supports on-island care while coordinating overseas referrals where specialised treatment is required
Backbone of National Healthcare Delivery
Primary platform for the delivery, coordination, and strengthening of public healthcare services in Nauru
Clinical Provider and System Enabler
Functions as both a clinical institution and a system-wide enabler
Building Sustainable National Health Capacity
Plays a central role in building national capability and long-term healthcare sustainability in a small island setting
Care Model
Government-led and nationally owned
Designed for the realities of island healthcare
Focused on sustainable local capability through training, mentorship, and knowledge transfer
Supported by regional and international partnerships to extend clinical reach
Since commencing operations, NMC has delivered measurable early outcomes across clinical care, prevention, and workforce capacity.
Initial Achievements & Impact
These early outcomes demonstrate progress delivered in the first months of NMC operations
Over 75 OMR standby cases now managed on island, reducing overseas referrals.
Hexavalent 6-in-1 vaccine introduced two years ahead of WHO target.
Nationwide trachoma screening conducted ahead of WHO schedule.
Seasonal influenza vaccination made routine nationwide.
Expanded workforce with over 40 general and specialist doctors and 120+ nurses, enabling 24/7 care with full laboratory and imaging support.
Over 250 surgical procedures performed in the first six months.
Dengue outbreak contained in record time, resulting in the US CDC’s first joint publication with Nauru.
New Eye Clinic established, providing monthly retinopathy treatments and over 50 cataract surgeries.
Physiotherapy team tripled and unit upgraded, supporting 100% slot utilisation.
New paediatric clinic opened