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MPLT OK’s $1.8M loan for CHC electronic health record project
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Posted on Nov 15 2011
The Marianas Public Land Trust has approved in principle the $1.8-million loan proposal of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., which plans to use the money on a project that will modernize the record system of the Commonwealth Health Center and the Tinian and Rota health clinics.
MPLT board chair Alvaro Santos said yesterday that the only thing holding up the release of the loan is the question of whether Gov. Benigno R. Fitial or health corporation CEO Juan N. Babauta will sign as the signatory to the loan agreement.
The loan will have a 5-percent interest per annum, with a payment term of 18 months.
Santos said that MPLT was approached by both the Fitial administration and the corporation to provide the loan, which will be paid using reimbursements from the federal government.
Saipan Tribune learned that about $19 billion in American Recovery Reinvestment Act funds has been set aside to build health information technology systems nationwide and the CNMI is qualified to get over $5 million from this funding source.
This $5 million is broken down into a four-year period: $2 million in the first year; $1.5 million in the second year; $1 million in the third year; and $500,000 in the fourth year.
“We said yes to this proposal because it is for a very good purpose which is to increase the information technology in the medical field and will benefit Rota and Tinian, private clinics, and the CHC as a whole,” Santos said.
The healthcare corporation is now mapping out the workflow in the hospital’s units and sections in order to come up with a comprehensive evaluation about its existing health information system.
However, to start the electronic health record project, the CNMI government has to first invest in the system by procuring new computers, software, and manpower training. Santos said the $1.8-million loan will be used to complete this initial stage of the project. Once completed, MPLT will be reimbursed for the amount.
CHC’s current health information system is called Resources and Patient Management System, or RPMS.
