Kagman Community Health Center marks 1st anniversary

From left, Rep. Antonio Agulto (Ind-Saipan), WIC Clinic Manager Ruth Sablan, and Rep. Larry Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) at the Kagman Community Health Center?s first anniversary on Friday. (Jayson Camacho)

The Kagman Community Health Center marked its first anniversary with government officials and lawmakers joining staff and the Kagman community to mark the occasion on Friday.
Lt. Gov. Jude U. Hofschneider was joined by Saipan Mayor Donald Flores and Reps. Larry Deleon Guerrero (Ind-Saipan) Antonio Agulto (Ind-Saipan), and Chris Leon Guerrero (Cov-Saipan).

Hofschneider, who spoke on behalf of Gov. Eloy S. Inos, said the Kagman Community Health Center has “done a marvelous job” during the first year it has been providing health services for the Kagman community.

“They continue to be an asset for the community,” he added.

Kagman Community Health Center board president Velma Palacios said that they are still continuing to move forward in providing all levels of care.

“We want to improve KCHC’s access to the community and its clients. We also looking at ways to expand our health care services to the community,” she said.

According to Palacios, they have been doing outreach programs with surveys and have received favorable comments and many suggestions.

Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. interim CEO Esther Muña commended the staff of KCHC and the corporation for a job well done in providing health services to Kagman.

“They have worked so many hours to provide these services to serve the community and I am proud of them,” Muña said.

KCHC executive director Vince Castro said the number of patients who visit the center has been steadily growing.

“When we first started, our first month we only had 14 visits. Just last month we’ve had 363 visits and we have improved,” Castro said.

According to Castro their next funding cycle for three years includes a grant that will give them $750,000 a year and will total $2.25 million for the three-year cycle. He said they plan to use the money to expand the center’s services.

“In fact, there are three buildings here and were planning to make another one for case management,” Castro said. “One of the resident said that they are doing a patience center/medical home model so we’ll have case management to educate them so they can make decisions for their health.”

Saipan Tribune learned that there are going to be satellite clinics as well.

According to Castro, in the next couple of months they would be dispensing medicines at the center.

Castro also said that they are also working closely with the Commonwealth of Transit Authority. “We will be partnering with them because they can transport [persons with disabilities] with their Call-a-Ride services,” he said.

The event started at 10am with the posting of colors from Kagman High School’s Color Guard. Chacha Oceanview Middle School’s Music Club sang the National Anthem. Rev. Fr. Isaac M. Ayuyuled the invocation.