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Santos: GMH will still be able to provide services
A Rota senator believes that the Guam Memorial Hospital will still be able to provide its patients the healthcare they deserve despite losing its accreditation last week.
The Joint Commission, which issued the denial that took effect last July 16, is a U.S.-based nonprofit organization that assesses if healthcare organizations in the 50 states and five territories are within the standards they set.
Sen. Teresita A. Santos (R-Rota), the Senate Health and Welfare Committee chair, said it is her belief that “[even] without JGS’ accreditation, GMH will continue to maintain [its] high standard in delivering patients’ care.”
Santos said that it was unfortunate for GMH to lose its accreditation. “It is indeed sad that [GMH], which serves majority of our CNMI [medical] referral [patients], has recently lost its accreditation after a review of JC’s Surveyors Team.”
“Despite its accreditation status, it is my understanding our patient referrals will not be impacted as GMH maintains its CMS certification,” said Santos.
Separately, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp., through public information officer Sami Birmingham-Babauta, assured that CNMI medical referral patients wouldn’t be affected by GMH losing accreditation, as they would continue to be provided healthcare there.
Gov. Ralph DLG Torres has also met with Guam officials to have CNMI medical referral patients get the healthcare that they need from medical facilities in the Commonwealth’s southern neighbor.
Santos also offered some good news after CHCC chief executive officer Esther L. Muña released stipends to patients and their escorts to Rota patients.
“[Muňa] has mentioned to me that Rota interisland patient referrals and escorts’ stipend will be issued out [today] as CHCC has promulgated its policy. Patients and escorts will be receiving $25 each per day,” said Santos.
