Dr. Shirish Balachandra assumed his new position on Oct. 25.
Balachandra succeeded Dr. Richard Brostrom who resigned early this year.
Balachandra said his new assignment includes overseeing the Department of Public Health’s programs, mostly those that are federally funded such as maternal and child health, preparedness activities, diabetes control and prevention and environmental health programs.
He said he will work with other colleagues in the department to identify what priority programs need his immediate attention.
Roxanne Diaz, Public Health program analyst and special assistant to Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, said the new medical director will also help address issues regarding non-communicable diseases.
The Pacific Islands Health Officers Association recently declared a state of emergency due to the epidemic of non-communicable diseases in the Pacific region.
Balachandra said CHC’s emergency room will remain open 24 hours a day, adding that he will also work part-time in the ER.
He said they have four physicians and one assistant physician assigned to the ER.
