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Kagman wellness center in the works
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Posted on Nov 03 2005
The Department of Public Health disclosed yesterday plans to build a wellness center in Kagman, which would be funded by the so-called sin taxes.
Public Health Secretary James U. Hofschneider said the Kagman Wellness Center would open in early 2006. The $450,000-project would be funded by taxes collected on cigarettes and tobacco, Hofschneider said.
“We have been working with the Kagman community to develop a health care facility that provides the kind of services the residents of Kagman need and want. I am very glad to be going from the planning stage to the building stage,” Hofschneider said.
In a press statement, the secretary said the bid solicitation process for the construction of the wellness center has begun. The center will stand on the site of the old juvenile detention facility in Kagman.
Hofschneider explained that wellness centers are a key component of the government’s overall healthcare strategy. Wellness centers make healthcare professionals more accessible to the community and aim to provide preventive and early intervention in residents’ health problems.
There are two other community health centers on Saipan: the San Roque Health Center and the San Antonio Health Center.
Hofschneider said the Kagman Wellness Center would even provide more services than those two health centers; it will provide dental care.
“Children and adults will be served in Kagman, and both groups will be able to receive care for acute conditions and for chronic conditions. Prenatal care and well baby clinics are two other essential services provided by community health centers,” he added.
