‘CNMI 3rd worst in health care services’

The CNMI ranks third in the Pacific with the worst health care services being provided its people, according to Marianas Eye Institute director David Khorram, M.D., quoting the latest assessment by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

He said that, based on a review by the department, the CNMI ranks third worst among Pacific territories, with a Health Professional Shortage Area score of 19. Federated States of Micronesia scored 25 while American Samoa has a score of 20. Khorram said Guam scored only eight, making it the leader across the Pacific areas.

The DHHS evaluates access to health care in all American jurisdictions using the HPSA score, which indicates the level of shortage for doctors in a given area. A higher score means that more doctors are needed.

Khorram said that the perfect score for a satisfactory, if not the best health care services, would be zero. He said this only proves that Guam has a well-developed private practice sector.

Khorram disclosed this to some 30 health care service provider officials during last week’s special health conference, an Office of the Governor and the Saipan Chamber of Commerce-sponsored event that had the theme “Delivering Health Care Services in the CNMI through Public and Private Partnership.”

Khorram presented during the conference the “Principles of Partnership: How CHC Can Partner with the Private Sector,” discussing the common goals or purposes of having a partnership that will complement each other’s services.

He said quality health care services by both sectors would provide healthcare services to as many people as possible in the CNMI.

He said on the severe shortage of health professionals should alarm the government, enough for it to turn its attention to attracting and keeping physicians. He said economic and professional enticements must come first.

“Saipan as a tropical island itself is not enough of an attraction,” he added.

His other recommendations included:

* The government must give priority to paying health care providers by considering the amount of Business Gross Revenue Tax and other tax credits due them.

* Hospital privileges must be given to private practitioners.

* The government must have constant communication with private providers who could also be utilized as consultants.

* The government must also create a special qualifying certificate for the healthcare sector.

“Decisions today will have repercussions long into the future,” he said.