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THC: Stable for now, with 31 staff aboard
Despite not having a full-time permanent physician, the Tinian Health Center claimed that it is meeting the demand of patient care on island because there are 31 people aboard right now-all doing their best to deliver quality service.
Acting THC resident director Freddy Hofschneider Jr. told Saipan Tribune that the center’s staffing is “stable” and that they can easily make adjustments if necessary.
Of its 31 employees, 11 are nurses while the rest are support staff.
Saipan Tribune learned that THC lost 12 personnel when the healthcare corporation recently enforced an emergency reduction-in-force due to the lack of a budget appropriated for the organization’s operation.
Hofschneider said a few of the laid-off personnel were successfully transferred to other health programs on the island while others remain unemployed.
THC has no full time physician since the departure of Dr. Steven Lebamoff last year. Finding his replacement has been hampered by the lack of funds to pay for a doctor’s salary.
Despite this, Hofschneider said the center is not shortchanging people in terms of providing healthcare services because physicians from Saipan are being rotated to serve at THC.
According to previous records, the center accommodates about 50 patients daily during regular working hours.
Hofschneider said that when funds are identified and certified available for THC, he will recommend filling three important positions: a doctor and at least two persons to work for the center’s billing and accounting section.
Meantime, in celebration of CNMI Nurses Week, Hofschneider expressed his sincere appreciation to the 11 nurses stationed at the center. He said Tinian started the weeklong celebration last week with a Mass on June 17. A special dinner was also hosted last Friday by Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz and Sens. Frank Cruz and Jude Hofschneider, along with center’s staff.
To cap the weeklong occasion, Hofschneider said four of their nurses joined their counterparts on Saipan last Saturday to join the traditional Nurses’ Ball held at Fiesta Resort & Spa Saipan. The nurses’ trip and participation in the event was sponsored by Star Marianas Air, FPA Pacific Corp., and Islander Rent A Car.
