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Mobile health clinic unveiled
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Posted on Dec 23 2008
Saipan residents will now have an easier time receiving healthcare, thanks to the Prevention on Wheels mobile outreach clinic.
The state-of-the-art van was unveiled yesterday at the Commonwealth Health Center with several local officials present, including Gov. Benigno R. Fitial, acting deputy secretary for Public Health John Tagabuel, Saipan Mayor Juan Tudela, Rep. Oscar Babauta and officials from the Philippines and Palau consulates.
Fitial said the clinic is a promise fulfilled he made to the CNMI.
“When I campaigned for Governor in 2005, I endorsed a platform plan for healthcare that included the provision of a mobile health clinic that would reach out to serve the public throughout our villages and local communities,” he said.
Fitial said the Department of Public Health is working on a schedule that will allow for a variety of health screenings including blood pressure checks; body mass index; cholesterol screening; glucose testing for diabetes; hemoglobin tests; nutrition assessments; pregnancy tests; dental sealants; and dental screenings.
Health information will also be delivered using the van and the mobile clinic can be used during disaster preparedness by delivering medications and vaccinations and used as a shelter during times of natural disasters.
The mobile clinic cost between $200,000 and $300,000 and was funded through the sin tax, a tax levied on alcohol and tobacco products. The funds were reallocated from the Kagman Wellness Center.
In 2006, members of the Commonwealth Diabetes Coalition met with Public Health officials to pitch the idea of the van.
