U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios, the center’s board of directors and its chief executive officer, Vince Castro, on Saturday led a ribbon-cutting ceremony that marked the official opening of the Kagman Isla Community Health Center at its new location.
From its old facility in Kagman II, the health center has relocated to Kagman Road in Kagman III, near LaoLao Bay Golf & Resort.
In his remarks, Castro shed tears when he told a story about a homeless man who showed up at the center. He said the homeless man could hardly walk because of an infected wound in his foot. The center’s healthcare staffers immediately provided treatment to the homeless man.
Five years later, Castro said they saw the man walking, and he appeared to be in good shape.
“That is why we are here,” Castro said.
The Kagman Community Health Center is a federally qualified health center. It receives federal funds under Section 330 of the Public Health Services Act to provide medical services in a medically underserved area.
The center must meet stringent federal requirements, including providing services on a sliding fee scale based on a patient’s ability to pay. The center must also operate under a governing board that is composed of at least 51% consumers.
Castro recognized Congressman Kilili who has been helping the center’s board of directors obtain federal assistance.
He also commended Rev. Fr. Jesse Reyes, who led the invocation, for accommodating the center’s patients and staff in the parish social hall of Santa Soledad Church when the old facility had to temporarily shut down.
Castro likewise acknowledged Gov. Ralph DLG Torres and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios for helping the center find a new location for the clinic.
Castro noted that the number of the clinic’s healthcare personnel has grown to 30 from 13, which has allowed the clinic to expand its services.
In his remarks, Lt. Gov. Palacios remembered the struggles and challenges the center encountered about six years ago.
He was thankful that the Santa Soledad parish priest was there to help. Palacios also congratulated and commended the board members for their vision of providing the needed healthcare services to the people of Kagman and surrounding areas.
He also expressed appreciation for healthcare professionals who visit the different villages to provide essential and basic health services. “Please give them a big round of applause,” he added.
Kilili said in his early days in the U.S. Congress, he helped the center’s board with its application to be designated as a federally qualified health center.
Its previous application had been rejected “so we got involved, and we got the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to consider your application…. Year after year, I have also supported funding for the community health center,” Kilili said.
Although federal assistance has been important for the center, Kilili said the “real heroes” are those who first had the vision for a community health center in Kagman. These include the board’s chair, Velma Palacios, and board member Dr. Ignacia Demapan.
“Just think of their determination. Applying over and over again. Five times. Never giving up,” he added.
“I want to thank those visionaries and leaders, many of them are here with us today. You made it possible for the people of all these villages to get preventive healthcare and screenings. You made possible greater access to prenatal care and a child clinic.”
Velma Palacios, for her part, acknowledged the other members of the board, Mako Torres and Dr. Alfred Ada.
Board members, she added, are volunteers who do the “work of love.”
“We have been here serving on the board for 10 years or so, so we have really seen the community grow, and it really touches my heart that we have seen the clinic’s growth like the mustard seed as Father Jesse said earlier,” Velma Palacios said.
Senate Floor Leader Vinnie Sablan, Kagman Isla Community Health Center Chief Executive Officer Vince Castro, board member Mako Torres, U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan, board chair Velma Palacios and Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios cut the ceremonial ribbon to officially open the Kagman Isla Community Health Center on Saturday.
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan talks with Kagman Community Health Center board member Dr. Ignacia Demapan after the ribbon-cutting ceremony.
U.S. Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan delivers his remarks.
Lt. Gov. Arnold I. Palacios delivers his remarks.
Kagman Isla Community Health Center board chair Velma Palacios gestures as she delivers her remarks.
A teary eyed Kagman Isla Community Health Center Chief Executive Officer Vince Castro delivers his remarks.
