Doctor shortage hinders operation of public clinic

The Department of Public Health has suspended indefinitely the operation of a community clinic in San Antonio village until it is able to address problems on the apparent shortage of medical practitioners on the island.

A media statement signed by Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez disclosed that all public health services at the South Community Health clinic in San Antonio was suspended effective Jan. 29, 2001.

Mr. Villagomez claimed that the absence of a full time physician to attend to ailing residents triggered the suspension of the clinic’s operation.

The clinic’s operation will be halted until the health department is able to hire a qualified medical practitioner who will be in charge of the day-to-day services, according to Mr. Villagomez.

Despite the inconveniences entailed by the suspension, the health department immediately alerted the Women’s and Children Care to attend to the medical needs of patients who normally receive their health services from the clinic.

Residents of San Antonio Village who will be needing pre and postnatal care, immunization, family planning and reproductive health consultation are advised to seek assistance from the Women’s and Children Care unit at the Public Health Clinic.

The health department, like the Public School System, is currently in need of qualified personnel to fill certain positions. This shortfall on qualified medical and education professionals among local residents has resulted on the increasing number of nonresident workers in several government agencies.

In December last year, Gov. Pedro P. Tenorio signed into law House bill 12-285 which extends the privilege of having nonresident workers with special skills and qualifications fill hard-to-fill vacant positions within the CNMI government.

Mr. Tenorio believes that the bill will alleviate the critical situation currently facing the Commonwealth Health Center and other departments and agencies.

This is the same reason why both the Northern Marianas College and the PSS are mapping out plans to implement additional programs that will entice students to take up courses that will help the government address these concerns.

Apart from probable additional programs, heads of the education system are also looking at the prospect of training high school students at technical level or other industries to hone their skills.