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Immunization program’s exemption from austerity OK’d
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Posted on Dec 11 2011
Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. chief executive officer Juan N. Babauta disclosed that besides doctors and nurses, some employees of the public hospital are now exempted from austerity Fridays because of their important role in the delivery of healthcare services to the people.
Babauta had earlier asked then-acting governor Eloy S. Inos to exempt the immunization program of the Commonwealth Health Center from austerity measures so it could continue serve the increasing number of children who needed to avail of the services.
“The governor and the lieutenant governor have graciously agreed to the exemption request for the immunization program and because of that, the office is now pack with kids everyday especially during Fridays,” he said in an interview.
Babauta, however, said that the exemption to the immunization program is only valid up to January. The CEO said since they opened the immunization clinic two weeks ago, this brought some convenience to parents who took advantage of austerity Fridays to bring their children to the hospital.
Babauta said that since the formal takeover of the corporation this fiscal year, he clarified with the Attorney General’s Office if the corporation will be included in the government policy. “I asked the governor and the AG and they all feel that the corporation is still part of the government and that it is subject to its directive and policy,” said the CEO.
But Babauta said both the governor and the AGO are open for further “discussion” on the issue of whether or not the corporation will be subject to the executive branch orders and policy in the future when the corporation established its self-reliance and self-sufficiency.
“I think if we can justify our position, especially in critical services, then I think they will listen. But for now, we just have to adhere to the policy of the government,” he said.
The corporation has over 600 employees on Saipan, Tinian, and Rota of which all nurses and doctors are exempted from the austerity measures identified by the administration.
