CNMI seeks partnership with Hawaii's DPH

The CNMI Department of Public Health is exploring the possibility of entering into an agreement with Hawaii Department of Public Health to allow the Northern Marianas avail of the services of the forensic psychiatrist there as well as send patients to their facility.

DPH Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez said the Northern Marianas cannot afford to hire a forensic psychiatrist but forging an agreement with the State of Hawaii may help resolve the difficult situation.

“We are currently discussing the issue of getting their forensic psychiatrist to assist us or maybe use their facility. We hope to reach a decision and we are very optimistic on the outcome of these talks,” he said.

DPH has been communicating with Dr. Bruce Anderson, Hawaii’s director of Public Health who will be coming here for a brief visit.

With the arrival of a new psychiatrist on the island, Mr. Villagomez said the CNMI will be able to develop new programs for mentally-ill patients. The issue of the need to hire a forensic psychiatrist on the island stemmed from a Superior Court’s decision on the case of murder suspect Dwayne M. Sibetang.

While he believes that the CNMI does not need a full-time forensic psychiatrist on the island, Mr. Villagomez said relationship with Hawaii should be developed to make use of the facility there in the future. “CHC is taking the court order beyond its scope by looking at the best possible way to treat mentally-ill patients,” he said.

Mr. Sibetang, 28, is facing charges of first degree murder for the slaying of nonresident worker Ma Dong Che on March 16, 2000.

Superior Court Associate Judge Timothy H. Bellas has ordered DPH and the Department of Public Safety’s Division of Corrections to provide adequate facilities that are sufficiently staffed with qualified mental health professionals including a forensic psychiatrist who will be on call 24 hours a day.

Due to limited funds, DPH finds it difficult to hire a forensic psychiatrist which will cost the government $200,000 annually. DPH said hiring a forensic psychiatrist or even establishing a facility to handle such cases is not a priority of the department because of budgetary constraints.

But defense lawyer Robert Torres said financial problems should not become a hindrance for his client to avail of the necessary medical treatment as provided for under the Patient’s Rights Act and the Criminal Commitment Act.