A proud and necessary achievement

The opening of the new dialysis unit at the Jose T. Villagomez Center for Public Health and Dialysis represents a major achievement for the CNMI. From the old days of Dr. Negreti to the present, CHC has delivered dialysis care far above the U.S. standard for those who needed it. Taking care of individuals with kidney failure has always been a priority for the Department of Public Health.

Opening this center has been a monumental engineering achievement for the CNMI. Most Pacific Island nations could not undertake an effort like this. From the original design, to the complex water purification system, to the delivery of state-of-the art dialysis machines, to procurement of quality supplies and, most importantly, to hiring and training skilled nurses to deliver the care—this has been a tremendously difficult undertaking. Many neighboring island nations cannot offer dialysis for their patients. Instead, patients often leave their homes and families to seek dialysis care in Hawaii or the mainland. This has been a long-awaited grand opening, and CNMI should be proud to provide high-level dialysis care to those in need.

Opening this center is also an opportunity to look at healthcare priorities in the CNMI. “Public Health” represents preventive care and a lifestyle to maintain wellness. “Dialysis” represents last-resort treatment for individuals who have been severely affected by poorly controlled diabetes over many years. In many ways, “Public Health” and “Dialysis” are the “alpha” and “omega” of healthcare. Ironically, it’s probably the only “Center of Public Health and Dialysis” in the world.

But it is a fitting irony for the CNMI, as we struggle to balance the competing priorities for preventive health and wellness in our community, and still manage the very heavy burden of chronic disease in the hospital. More than 70 percent of adult patients in the hospital are diabetic, and the healthcare costs to the local government cannot be overestimated.

The new dialysis center stands as a proud and necessary achievement for the CNMI. But the center also serves as a reminder to the CNMI community to double their efforts to prevent and reduce obesity, increase walking and other exercises, quit smoking, and take the diagnosis of diabetes more seriously. Battling against diabetes requires the whole community, including other agencies and lawmakers.

For part of the solution, other states and jurisdictions reduced obesity and diabetes through legislation. Examples include a “junk food tax,” a tax on sweetened drinks, improved school lunches, enforced mandatory PE in school, increased cigarette taxes, and creation of bicycle lanes to encourage regular exercise. Additionally, the community needs more public education about proper portion size, reduced emphasis on expensive catered meals for rosaries, and new safe walkways in every village. These types of changes require both courage and ingenuity to improve healthy choices while preserving a wonderful and rich culture.

From the perspective of the doctors at CHC, the best day for the community will come when the new dialysis center is closed for lack of business. Until then, CHC will continue to perform quality dialysis for patients who need it, and continue to help the community to change to a healthier, more traditional lifestyle.