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DPH urged to regularly check senior citizens’ state of health
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Posted on Feb 14 2001
Rep. William S. Torres yesterday urged officials of the Department of Public Health to provide monthly medical visitation privileges to monitor the state of health of aging citizens of the Northern Marianas.
Mr. Torres asked DPH Secretary Joseph Villagomez to perform a monthly on-site visitation to the Man Amko Centers on Saipan, Tinian and Rota and periodically check health risks and ailments of senior citizens on the three islands.
“We are humbly asking for your consideration to accord medical visitation privileges to Man Amko Centers to monitor their state of health and to maintain their longevity,” the representative told Mr. Villagomez in a letter.
The legislator also urged the health secretary to provide senior citizens the courtesy of timely attention and ready hospital attendants, nurses and medical doctors if medical check-ups and hospital appointments are requested.
Mr. Torres explained that due to old age, Man Amko members are prone to health problems and ailments that necessitates a monthly medical monitoring.
He said DPH can at least contribute a special day for the senior citizens or at least an hour a day will suffice for purposes of extending the attention during a trial period.
“This charitable gesture in periodically performing on-site visitation will contribute positively so that they continue to provide our generation much valued guidance and wisdom as we chart the direction of the Commonwealth into the millennium. This is the least we can do to let them enjoy the balance of their lives,” reads the letter.
The Man Amko Centers in the Commonwealth provide alternatives to aging citizens of the CNMI through sports and cultural programs to continuously improve their well-being despite old age.
The centers are equipped with facilities like massage machines and board games. But problems of senior citizens range from serious ailments to inability to tend for themselves and see doctors on opportune time.
By providing on-site visitation, the DPH will be able to monitor health problems and reduce travel and distance concerns.
