Country information

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Area: 811 sq km
Population: 99,000, (source: UN ESCAP survey 2007)
Capital City: Tarawa
People: Predominantly Micronesian with some Polynesian
Languages: English (official), I-Kiribati
Religions: Roman Catholic 54%, Protestant (Congregational) 30%, some Seventh-Day Adventist, Baha'i, Latter-day Saints, and Church of God
Currency: Australian dollar (AUD)
Major Political Parties: Maneaban Te Mauri Party; National Progressive Party
Government: Unicameral House of Assembly or Maneaba Ni Maungatabu (46 seats: 44 elected by popular vote, one ex officio member- the attorney general, one appointed to represent Banaba; members serve four-year terms)
Head of State, President and Foreign Minister: Anote Tong
Membership of international groups/ organisations: Africa, Caribbean and Pacific Group of States (ACP), Asian Development Bank (ADB), Commonwealth, Economic and Social Commission for Asia and the Pacific (ESCAP), Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO), International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD), International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO), International Confederation of Free Trade Unions, International Federation of Red Cross and Red Crescent Societies (IFRC), International Development Association, International Finance Corporation (IFC), International Labour Organisation (ILO), International Monetary Fund (IMF), International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (Intelsat) (nonsignatory user), International Telecommunication Union (ITU), Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW), South Pacific Regional Trade and Economic Co-operation Agreement (SPARTECA), Pacific Community (SPC), South Pacific Forum (SPF), United Nations (UN), United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO), Universal Postal Union (UPU), World Health Organisation (WHO), Pacific Islands Forum (PIF)

HEALTH

There is one General Hospital in Tarawa plus a number of health centres in the more populated islands. There are 11 local I-Kiribati doctors and 30 Cuban doctors working at the Central Hospital in a country that requires 60. Medical facilities are of the most basic kind and there are no pharmacies. Occasional outbreaks of cholera, typhoid and dengue fever are reported. Leprosy has not been completely eliminated.

Excessive alcohol consumption has become a very severe problem both socially and healthwise. Diabetes linked to a western diet is widespread. HIV/AIDS infections in Tarawa have recorded a significant increase and are becoming a cause for concern.  Dengue Fever is common in Kiribati.

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