DPH told to shed light on medical referral, CHC services

The chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, Rep. Ralph DLG. Torres, has asked Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez to shed light on seven areas of operation including medical referral and current staffing following community concerns about DPH’s services.

Torres gave Villagomez up to June 19 to respond in writing to his May 18 letter, or to meet with him next week.

Villagomez is currently on personal leave.

As of yesterday, Pete Untalan was designated as acting health secretary. When sought for comment, his office said he was in a meeting.

In his two-page letter, Torres asked Villagomez about the current number of patients under medical referral, the names of the hospitals they are referred to, the number of patients on the waiting list, the standard operating procedures for patients referred, which agency incurs the cost of housing patients at Capital Hotel, the costs involved for each emergency medical evacuation, and the cost to transport one patient on air ambulance.

“As I am sure you are aware, the community has voiced their concerns and has cried out for adequate services at the Commonwealth Health Center,” Torres told Villagomez.

The lawmaker also asked for clarification on the status of the Diabetes Prevention Program, which community activist Ed Propst earlier said is being shut down. Untalan earlier clarified that the program is still operational.

Propst said there are over 100 dialysis patients in the CNMI, yet there is only a measly $73,000 annual budget for the program.

Torres also asked the health secretary whether the Psychiatric Center has any full-time psychiatrists on board and whether the department has any plan to provide proper services and medication for persons in the CNMI who are mentally ill.

He also asked about the number and area of practice of the current doctors at CHC, whether full-time or part-time. Torres also asked about the number of nurses, and the number per shift, as well as the ideal number to best serve the patients.

Torres said community members have expressed concern about unreasonably long waiting time for patients at the hospital, and asked the health secretary to shed light on the matter.

He asked about PHI Pharmacy’s relationship with CHC, and PHI’s procedures in obtaining and stocking medication.

Also included in the inquiry were the standards procedures when a patient enters the Emergency Room and the difficulties and challenges that DPH’s Collections and Billing department faces.

“Please describe why Hawaii and Guam are not, or are hesitant in, accepting our Medicaid patients. Include in your answer the number of consultants on board and the services they provide,” Torres said.

The lawmaker asked Villagomez to include other information he feels are important in assisting the House committee in addressing the current situation at CHC, and proposed solutions.