DPW and DPH now working to equip Rota hemodialysis center

Construction at the Rota hemodialysis center is expected to be completed in two months, giving the Department of Public Works and the Department of Public Health ample time to work on procuring collateral equipment for the facility.

In June 2008, Gov. Benigno R. Fitial announced that the project will be completed within 270 days or by March 10, 2009, but the completion date was pushed back.

Public Works secretary Diego B. Songsong said procurement of hemodialysis machines, beds and other materials to equip the center was not part of the initial discussion on the project last year.

“Right now, we are working with DPH to furnish the center. We are working with DPH, because we want to make sure that the right type of equipment needed for the facility will be bought. For example, we want to make sure the hemodialysis equipment meet Medicaid standards. After identifying the equipment, we will work on identifying source of funding and we will meet with members of the Rota Legislative Delegation for that,” Songsong told Saipan Tribune.

The DPW secretary said project construction, which costs close to $1 million, is expected to be completed by contractor Pacific Cooperation Ltd. in two months.

Adjoined to the existing Rota Health Center, the existing RHC Cafeteria will be converted into the new hemodialysis center.

Construction of the new facility includes utilities separate from the Rota Health Center, including power back-up generator, an independent water supply, and a reverse osmosis system.

The facility will have enough capacity to accommodate the current clients of Rota, while providing for the project’s future expansion. In the original plan announced by the Fitial administration, the project will be furnished with five hemodialysis stations, with one unit serving as an isolation care station complete with a mechanical lifter capable of transporting bed-ridden patients to the upper level on a stretcher or wheel chair.

“Even if it’s completed in two months, it still cannot be occupied without the collateral equipment. Hopefully we’d be able to equip it in time for construction completion,” Songsong added.

Sen. Paul Manglona, R-Rota, wrote to Songsong on March 4 to follow up on the status of the collateral equipment for the Rota hemodialysis project.

Manglona said it is “absolutely critical that we procure and deliver the necessary collateral equipment before the project completion date.”

The senator added that it is critical for DPW and DPH to coordinate work to “avoid further delays and make possible the opening of this long overdue facility.”

Opening the center, according to Manglona, will make it possible to “begin to bring back home to Rota our hemodialysis patients on Saipan to be with their families.”

The Rota hemodialysis project has been in the planning stage since 2005. Funding problems had kept the project on hold until the Commonwealth Development Authority issued $1.5 million in proceeds from the CNMI’s capital improvement bond last year.