DPH still pursuing link with Manila for referral patients

The Department of Public Health plans to station a medical referral staff in the Philippines to ensure a more reliable service to medical referral patients.

The idea was brought up during a closed-door House Committee on Health and Welfare hearing last Friday.

“Public Health Secretary James Hofschneider has plans to extend support for Manila patients. He is exploring options like transferring one referral staff [here] to Manila,” said congressman Justo Quitugua.

He said the department also plans to forge an agreement with a Manila-based hospital to provide logistical support for CNMI referral patients.

“These are some options that they want to pursue to help our patients when they are referred there,” said Quitugua.

The House panel, chaired by Rep. Crispin Ogo, called the hearing to shed light on reported problems facing CNMI patients in Manila. The hearing was supposed to be open to the public but Ogo decided Friday to close it to the media.

Ogo earlier said that his panel would want to be enlightened on “lack of adequate services to our patients [in Manila].” He said the government needs to make sure that CNMI patients referred to that country are attended to and are safe.

The House leadership supports the creation of a Manila Liaison Office as a way to assist CNMI patients referred there. It also agrees that patients would be able to save on health care and travel costs when they choose to obtain treatment from Philippine hospitals.

Despite this, only a few patients get referred to the Philippines for a number of reasons. Quitugua said referral of patients primarily depends on the private insurance.

Health providers usually refer patients to Hawaii of Guam because “they have established relations with U.S.-based hospitals,” he said.

Likewise, Saipan-based doctors usually advise patients to see Guam or Hawaii medical practitioners largely because they are more familiar with these facilities’ capabilities.

Also, the only patients who can be referred to Manila are those who are not Medicaid and Medicare cardholders.

Philippine hospitals are not certified to administer these federally funded health programs.

The CNMI used to maintain a liaison office in Manila to facilitate the hiring of CNMI-bound workers as well as to assist referral patients. It closed the office in September 2000 due to funding problems.