Emais Roberts Explained

Emais Roberts
Term Start1:January 1, 2022
Term Start2:February 2, 2017
Term End2:December 21, 2021

Emais Roberts is a Palauan politician and physician who has served as Governor of Peleliu since 2022. He previously served as the country's Minister of Health from 2017 to 2021 and led the response to the COVID-19 pandemic in Palau.

Early life and career

Roberts received his Doctor of Medicine degree from the University of Hawaiʻi. His surgical residency took place at the University of Hawaiʻi and University of California, Davis.[1] He served as Chief Resident Surgeon at Queen's Medical Center, Kuakini Medical Center and Kaiser Medical Center in Hawaii.[1] Roberts is also a member of the Belau Medical Society, in addition to being a fellow of the American College of Surgeons.[1] Robers has served as a member of the Palau Community College Board of Trustees, Palau Medical Licensure Board and Palau Medical Referral Committee.[1] He owns and runs a private medical clinic called the Family Surgical Clinic.

Political career

On January 23, 2017, he was nominated as Minister of Health, becoming the first nominee for a ministerial position in President Thomas Remengesau Jr.'s 10th government cabinet.[1] He was sworn in as Minister of Health on February 2, 2017.[2] On June 6, 2017, Roberts visited Taipei in which he said he would continue to support Taiwan's bid to attend the World Health Assembly.[3] In July 2019, Roberts gave a speech at the first Climate and Health Ministers' Meeting in Abu Dhabi in which he highlighted the effects of climate change on human health especially the effects on Small Island Developing States such as Palau.[4]

Beginning in January 2021, he administered the country's COVID-19 vaccination program, with Roberts and president-elect Surangel Whipps Jr. being two of the first to receive the dose of the vaccine in the country.[5] In April 2021, a travel bubble was set up between Palau and Taiwan though by May 2021 Roberts stated that the travel bubble had become a "mute issue" due to new travel restrictions introduced between the countries as a result of Taiwan's rising COVID-19 cases.[6] He was succeeded as health minister by Gaafar Ucherbelau.[7]

In May 2021, Roberts stated in an interview with the Island Times that he was running as a candidate for Governor of Peleliu in the December 2021 election; incumbent governor Temmy Shmull was no longer eligible, having reached the term limit.[8] He stated that he had agreed to run after being petitioned by the village chiefs and the people of Peleliu.[8] Governor Shmull endorsed him saying that he "has built a house here and loves to spend time here".[8] Unofficial results from an election poll showed him in the lead with 312 votes ahead of former governor Jackson Ngiraingas who received 174 votes.[9] He won the election and was sworn in as governor on January 1, 2022.[10]

On September 15, 2022, Roberts commemorated the state's inaugural veterans day by re-opening the Bloody Nose Ridge Monument access trail and acknowledging the United States Marines for their work on projects in the state such as repairing the monument.[11]

Notes and References

  1. Web site: January 24, 2017 . Dr. Roberts nominated to head Ministry of Health . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217190454/https://islandtimes.org/dr-roberts-nominated-to-head-ministry-of-health/ . December 17, 2023 . December 17, 2023 . Island Times.
  2. Web site: February 3, 2017 . Roberts to bring healthcare services back to the community . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217193416/https://islandtimes.org/roberts-to-bring-healthcare-services-back-to-the-community/ . December 17, 2023 . December 17, 2023 . Island Times.
  3. Web site: Palau health minister vows to continue support for Taiwan's WHA bid - Focus Taiwan. June 6, 2017. December 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231217234841/https://focustaiwan.tw/politics/201706060020. December 17, 2023. live. Focus Taiwan - CNA English News.
  4. Web site: July 16, 2019 . Health Minister says financial schemes for health a must in climate change adaptation . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231218220758/https://islandtimes.org/health-minister-says-financial-schemes-for-health-a-must-in-climate-change-adaptation/ . December 18, 2023 . December 18, 2023 . Island Times.
  5. News: Palau could become one of the first countries to be vaccinated against the coronavirus. ABC News . January 4, 2021. December 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231217231444/https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-01-05/palau-may-become-first-majority-vaccinated-covid-19-coronavirus/13030012. December 17, 2023. live. www.abc.net.au.
  6. Web site: May 18, 2021 . Dr. Roberts urges gov't to prioritize people's health over economy . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217220713/https://islandtimes.org/dr-roberts-urges-govt-to-prioritize-peoples-health-over-economy/ . December 17, 2023 . December 17, 2023 . Island Times.
  7. Web site: Senate approves Gaafar's nomination to health ministry 12-0. Leilani. Reklai. December 21, 2021. December 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231217194059/https://islandtimes.org/senate-approves-gaafars-nomination-to-health-ministry-12-0/. December 17, 2023. live. Island Times.
  8. Web site: Dr. Roberts named in race for Peleliu Governor. Leilani. Reklai. May 7, 2021. December 17, 2023. https://web.archive.org/web/20231217172757/https://islandtimes.org/dr-roberts-named-in-race-for-peleliu-governor/. December 17, 2023. live. Island Times.
  9. Web site: December 10, 2021 . Dr. Roberts tops race for governor of Peleliu State . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217190600/https://islandtimes.org/dr-roberts-tops-race-for-governor-of-peleliu-state/ . December 17, 2023 . December 17, 2023 . Island Times.
  10. Web site: January 7, 2022 . State governments organized, Hideo as Ngchesar governor, Ngirakamerang, Ngaraard Speaker . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231217204902/https://islandtimes.org/state-governments-organized-hideo-as-ngchesar-governor-ngirakamerang-ngaraard-speaker/ . December 17, 2023 . December 17, 2023 . Island Times.
  11. Web site: Reklai . Leilani . September 16, 2022 . First Peleliu Veterans Day celebrated with partners . live . https://web.archive.org/web/20231219171426/https://islandtimes.org/first-peleliu-veterans-day-celebrated-with-partners/ . December 19, 2023 . December 19, 2023 . Island Times.

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