By Emmanuel T. Erediano
Variety News Staff

THE Commonwealth Health Center Volunteers Association, which has been raising money since last year for the purchase of a multi-slice CT scanner for CHC, says they can already buy the equipment but still need more funding for its maintenance.
The volunteers began fund-raising activities in mid-2006 for the purchase of the for $400,000 hyperbaric chamber and multi-slice CT scanner needed by the commonwealth’s only hospital.
The two machines are necessary for the treatment of diabetic patients who are prone to amputation, as well as for diving accident victims.
Aside from the $300,000 that the government appropriated in October last year, several money-earning events like a walkathon, a turkey raffle, a golf tournament and sales of Saipanda toys raised additional funds.
The volunteers also received donations from the Joeten Foundation and Duty Free Shops.
CHC Volunteers Association president Kim Prinz said it did not occur to them before that besides the price of the medical equipment, another amount of money would be needed for the maintenance of the machines.
She said they will not be able to get the machines without the money for maintenance — $100,000.
She said she was told that maintenance was included in the deal.
Now, Prinz said, they have to hold more fund-raising activities.
Next week, she said they are planning to hold a garage sale in front of the Department of Public Health office at CHC.