Room shortage at CHC

The Commonwealth Health Center is experiencing a lack of available rooms due to a relatively large number of in-patients and a problem with the leaking roof, according to the Emergency Management Office.

EMO reported yesterday that the hospital was operating at maximum capacity, with 54 in-patients and four intensive care unit patients. Further, some patients had to be moved out of rooms with leaking roof, causing a shortage of available rooms at CHC.

On top of this, the hospital urgently needs to fix the air conditioning system, which feeds the computed tomography or CT scan, a machine used to diagnose a wide variety of illnesses in body structures and internal organs.

Initial damage assessment from EMO showed that other air conditioning systems serving the labor and delivery ward, OB ward, nursery, and the neonatal intensive care unit are also inoperable.

Leaks around window seals have caused damage to drywall and ceiling tiles, and some flooding has been reported from torrential rains.

Despite these problems, CHC resumed normal operations yesterday, except for several peripheral clinics and offices.

The Department of Public Health ordered all CHC employees, including clinical and administrative support staff, to report to work and see their supervisors to ensure adequate staffing of essential health care functions.

However, the STD/HIV Center, Southern Clinic, Northern Clinic, Bureau of Environmental Health Office, and the Children’s Development Assistance Center were among the offices that remain closed due to lack of power as of Tuesday, according to the EMO.

Public Health has advised residents who need immediate medical attention to visit the Women’s Clinic, Children’s Clinic, Triage Clinic, or a private service provider.

In an interview, public information officer Jenn Castro said that no major typhoon-related injuries have been reported so far. She added that as of noontime Monday, DPH has received only two cases of minor injuries on Saipan, one on Tinian, and none on Rota.

Six expectant mothers, who are at least eight months pregnant, sought shelter at the hospital during the typhoon. Another set of six mothers gave birth since the weekend.

“There is adequate medical supply at CHC,” Castro said. “Public Health is not expecting any increase in the number of illnesses due to the typhoon. [The] only people expected to come in are those who need to be supported by equipment that require electricity.”

The Rota and Tinian health centers were also opened yesterday, EMO said.

On Rota, the central air conditioning unit is not functioning, and a 24,000-BTU split air conditioning unit was blown away.

Flooding also occurred in all areas within the island’s health center.

“Since there is no city power, diesel fuel is used to generate power and keep the hospital open. The generator currently utilized by the Rota Health Center is unreliable,” EMO said.

The Rota and Tinian health centers each need one family practice/emergency room physician and two ER nurses for one to two weeks, as well as medical and linen supplies, EMO added.