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Volunteers sought for CHCC community outreach
Mobile clinic continues rounds
After more than two weeks of holding mobile clinics in typhoon shelters around the island, the Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is now ready to expand its services to the community.
Kaitlyn R. Neises, public health planner of the CHCC Division of Public Health, said the Emergency Operation Center, led by operation chief Jeremy Sasamoto, is now collecting the schedules of availability of CHCC providers to create a schedule for mobile clinics in the coming week.
“He is also conducting a rapid reassessment of the shelters after Tropical Storm Goni. With this information, the planning team will be able to establish a mobile clinic schedule by the end of [Tuesday],” Neises said.
Sasamoto earlier told Saipan Tribune that an outreach would be conducted in villages.
Last Saturday, Aug. 15, the mobile clinic was at the Marianas Business Plaza, with seven providers, 13 nurses, and numerous hospital staff assisting.
Despite the approach of Tropical Storm Goni, the outreach and mobile clinic saw over 240 people, even though they had to wrap up at 1pm instead of 3pm due to the storm.
Aside from the mobile clinic, Dr. Thane Hancock, the epidemiology field officer for the Pacific Island Health Officers Association, launched a health surveillance system in the shelters last Thursday to closely monitor the health of evacuees. His team is made up of staff and volunteers.
By identifying and reporting health problems early, Public Health can respond quickly to protect the community.
Volunteers are also being sought for those who want to help supplement the disaster recovery operations and assist CHCC with its community outreach. Interested individuals can contact Sharon Kaipat at 234-8950 Ext. 2002 or 8711.
CHCC chief executive officer Esther Muña said that volunteering at CHCC would not only give additional knowledge but also hands-on experience in outreach and clinical services.
