By Moneth G. Deposa
Variety News Staff

AT least three off-island firms have expressed an interest in acquiring the Commonwealth Health Center’s outpatient care services, according to Press Secretary Charles P. Reyes Jr.
The deadline for the submission of bid proposals is May 10, and Reyes said the administration is confident that there will be more interested companies.
“The CNMI stands to benefit from that move and I believe that a substantial amount will be saved in that privatization effort,” Reyes Jr. said in an interview last week.
He said between $7 million and $10 million will be saved by the Department of Public Health.
The department has a $40 million budget which will be reduced to $38 million once the administration implements the 15.6 percent across-the-board cut.
Gov. Benigno R. Fitial has vowed to restore the department’s budget cut, however.
Every year, at least $2 million to $3 million is spent on outpatient services while another $1 million to $2 million is allotted for personnel, including doctors and nurses.
Reyes said the privatization will help reduce the cost of the department’s operations and will improve services.
According to Vice Speaker Justo S. Quitugua, the privatization will be fully supported by the House of Representatives.
“This is a long-delayed step and should have been carried out in the past,” said Quitugua, D-Saipan.
The privatization will include services to be implemented at the newly constructed Dr. Jose T. Villagomez Public Health and Hemodialysis Center facility which is adjacent to CHC.