Previous Story
DPH eyes more clinics for Saipan
|
Posted on Oct 05 1999
The Department of Public Health plans to tap federal funds for the establishment of health clinics on Saipan in order to ease overcrowding at the Commonwealth Health Center.
A clinic in San Antonio is currently under construction and is expected to open in December. He said an OB-Gyne, a pediatrician and a nurse will man the San Antonio clinic.
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said he hopes to set up three more health clinics on Saipan through federal funds. He said the clinics may be situated in Kagman, San Jose or Susupe and one in the Northern part of the island.
Recently CHC opened a clinic in the emergency room to serve patients whose conditions do not require immediate medical help. These patients add to the congestion in the emergency room and compete with those whose cases are critical.
The department has been planning to extend the hospital’s service for a long time but lack of nurses and doctors has delayed the implementation of such program. With the arrival of three surgeons, including a gynecologist, Villagomez said there will be enough medical staff to be assigned to San Antonio. Currently, CHC has 36 doctors.
Hiring of medical specialists from the mainland has been a priority of the department despite its limited budget to cut down expenses on medical referral.
