Tan Holdings donates linens to hospital

  The cash-strapped Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., which oversees the Commonwealth Health Center, received a major boost yesterday after Tan Holdings donated bed sheets and other bedding materials for use at the islands’ only public hospital.

Tan Holdings president Jerry Tan led the presentation of 2,160 bed sheets, 424 pillow cases, 160 blankets, and 33 pieces of bed pads to corporation officials and hospital staff. The donated items came from the Saipan Grand Hotel, an affiliate of Tan Holdings, which is currently undergoing an 18-month renovation.

This marks the second donation of bed sheets and other bedding materials by Tan Holdings to the hospital. The company also donated linens from another affiliate, Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan, about two or three years ago.

Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta welcomed the donation, saying it will aid the facility given their current financial crunch. “We appreciate it very much.”

Corporation board chair Joaquin Torres said the donation is “very timely.”

“It came at a time when we really need these items. These will go a long way in making sure that the hospital has adequate linens and can make patients comfortable and cared for,” Torres told Saipan Tribune.

Karen Buettner, director of hospital services, said that the hospital is “in desperate need” of linens at this point since they only have two rotating amounts of linen.

“We’re always scrounging to find extra so this is absolutely a fabulous donation and we’re very excited about it,” said Buettner. “This will allow us to have some in stock or have some in extra supply and that will be great for us.”

According to Buettner, they lose their stock of linens for many reasons. Items used by patients that are sent off-island are no longer returned. In other times, patients who are discharged bring the linens with them. Also, linens get worn out faster due to the chemicals used to wash them.

Buettner disclosed that they were already planning to buy new linens and, in fact, have already sought quotes and estimates for about 75 dozens. Thanks to the donation, she said the corporation will be able to save at least $25,000 which, given their dire finances, is a significant amount.

“Because this is something that directly impacts our patient care on a day-to-day basis, it is a donation that we desperately need and we’re very grateful to Tan Holdings,” she said.

Tan Holdings’ Jerry Tan said the hospital is the appropriate recipient of the donated items. “We’re just happy that we’re able to provide that assistance.”