The March 15 diving accident involving two Japanese at Shark Point has prompted the Department of Public Health to consider the acquisition of its own decompression chamber.<\/p>\n
Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez disclosed during a media conference last week that plans are underway on the possible acquisition of the equipment. <\/p>\n
He said he is collaborating with appropriate government agencies and non-government organizations to make this project a reality.<\/p>\n
Villagomez said the decompression chamber, or hyperbaric chamber, is a key project that the Public Health Office wants to accomplish this year.<\/p>\n
The March 15 near-drowning incident involved two victims, both males, who were flown by helicopter to Guam for decompression treatment after preliminary medical treatment at the Commonwealth Health Center.<\/p>\n
The DPH secretary said his office has recognized for a long time now the need for the hyperbaric chamber that allows recompression therapy for decompression illness that should be performed as soon as possible in scuba diving accidents.<\/p>\n
The equipment is just appropriate since the CNMI is regarded to have one of the best diving sites in the world.<\/p>\n
Villagomez said he is also collaborating with the CHC Volunteers, Saipan Chamber of Commerce, Marianas Visitors Authority, and other private firms to acquire the equipment.<\/p>\n
Villagomez said the cost would depend on the size of the decompression chamber. \u201cThere are different chambers with four- to five-person capacity.\u201d<\/p>\n
The DPH secretary said he is hoping that the hospital could get at least one decompression chamber this year. <\/p>\n
He said he considers the purchase of the decompression chamber not only a hospital project but also a community project. <\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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