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Foot Care Clinic to be expanded
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Posted on Nov 14 2006
In support of its continuing success in reducing the amputation rate in the CNMI, the Department of Public Health will be expanding the services and office of the Foot Clinic at the Commonwealth Health Center.
Health Secretary Joseph Kevin P. Villagomez congratulated the staff behind the success of the clinic during its Open House yesterday in celebration of World Diabetes Day.
Villagomez, together with hospital administrator and deputy secretary Joseph Santos, took time yesterday afternoon to grace the clinic’s Open House.
Villagomez said what the clinic has done so far is “phenomenal.” “We want to make sure that it continues to provide health care services to the three islands,” he said.
Toward this end, he said that DPH is keen on introducing a “mobile clinic” that could also provide services to community members while they are at home. He said the plan is in place and a Request for Proposal is up for release.
Villagomez said the Foot Clinic would also be moving to a bigger space on the ground floor when the new Hemodialysis Center opens.
Villagomez tried his hand yesterday on the equipment that are being used inside the clinic. Several patients and guests also availed of the clinic’s services during the Open House.
Physical therapist Dana McFadden said that, since the clinic opened in January, there have only been six cases of major amputations at the Commonwealth Health Center, translating to an 80-percent reduction in the number of major limb amputation cases in the CNMI.
The only challenge that the clinic faces is disseminating the information that amputation can be prevented. She said this highlights the need for a mobile clinic so that they could reach more people for assistance and extended health service.
