83. In 1989, daily care was provided to the dental clinic by two dental officers, four nurses, one laboratory technician, one dental assistant and five assistant trainees. Nurses visit schools regularly to administer a fluoride mouth-rinse programme, conduct dental health education and make field trips to outlying states to provide dental care. / ... T/L.1274• English Page 16 84. According to the current annual report, there are many shortcomings in the Palau health system. Equipment is old and parts are difficult to acquire. Drugs are in short supply owing to financial constraints, although there were improvements in 1988/89. Many of the medica! and dental staff are nearing retirement age and only three Palauans are known to be attending medical school abroad. Many Palauan nurses choose to earn more lucrative salaries abroad. The report concludes that there is limited scope for continuing education of medical, dental, nursing and other health professionals. 85. The leading causes of death in Palau in 1989 continued to be circulatory and respiratory diseases. There was a total of 112 deaths in 1988, an increase of 16 over the previous year. During the reporting period, there were 294 live births or a crude birth rate of 20.7 per 1,000, and 8 infant deaths oran infant mortality rate of 27.4 per 1,000. No maternal deaths have occurred in the last 10 years in Palau. 86. The United States Public Health Service, the Communicable Disease Control Agency and EPA co-operate with the Trust Territory in providing sorne laboratory services, special grant assistance and environmental and epidemiological consultation. Each year a number of consultants are provided to the Trust Territory by the United States Public Health Service, the Energy Resources Development Agency, United States federal agencies, WHO, SPC, the Tripler Army Medical Center, Letterman Hospital, the Naval.Regional Medical Center on Guam, the 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the health sector in Palau, mentioning specific issues such as equipment, drug shortages, and staff shortages, as well as statistics on mortality and birth rates. It also mentions international cooperation and assistance. This suggests that the text is primarily focused on the health sector, with some broader implications for the economy and society.

**Category**
Health