Previous Story
CHC loses sole kidney doctor
|
Posted on Apr 16 2009
The Commonwealth Health Center no longer has a full-time nephrologist starting today after Dr. Raphael G. Loutoby did not renew his contract because of a 20-percent cut in his salary.
But the government-run hospital is now working on finding a nephrologist to replace Loutoby, according to Dr. Divya Sharma, chief medical officer of CHC.
“We’re looking at all our options,” Sharma told Saipan Tribune yesterday.
Options include entering into an agreement with a Guam-based nephrologist to visit the CNMI on a periodic basis or hire a full-time nephrologist.
Given the high rate of kidney-related diseases and diabetes in the CNMI, having a full-time nephrologist at the only government hospital is important.
Sharma said Loutoby did not accept the 20-percent cut in his annual salary of $250,000. On top of his salary, Loutoby was also receiving housing allowance.
“When he was asked to accept a 20- percent cut in his salary, he was also told that he will be relieved of 20 percent or more of his responsibilities…He’s getting adequate pay. It’s a reasonable offer given the rates offered in the U.S. [mainland],” Sharma said.
Dr. Florian Braig, CHC chief of staff, also said that Loutoby didn’t renew his contract because he did not accept the 20-percent reduction in salary. He added that no other physician contract renewal at CHC hinges on a 20-percent wage cut.
On its website, www.saipanhospitaldocs.org, the CHC Medical Staff posted at least 10 positions that need to be filled up, including an immediate opening for a U.S. board certified nephrologist and a physician, which were the latest to be posted on April 7.
Other currently available jobs include anesthesiologist, internist, and general surgeon.
