Dr. James E. Hastings, director of the VA Pacific Islands Health Care System based in Honolulu, Hawaii told veterans during the town hall meeting at the multi-purpose building in Susupe on Friday evening that they are developing a home-based primary healthcare or a hospital at home with Honolulu as a test area.
“As soon as we wrap up the home-based health care system in Honolulu, we will be moving it to the other Pacific islands so other veterans can avail of treatment in the comfort of their homes,” Hastings said.
He said the home care system will support and allow the veterans to stay at home and still get medication and treatment.
“I know this is not easy and there are lots of challenges but we will continue to work at the system and find solutions to the challenges that we encounter,” Hastings said.
“This is just the first step, and we have a long way to go. We can’t tell how long it is going to take but we are well along the way,” he said.
Guam-based certified Veterans Service representative for Veterans Benefits Administration Tina San Agustin urged the veterans to file their benefit claims and come to them for assistance.
The veterans were able to air their concerns and ask questions during the town hall meeting.
They were thankful that their concerns were being addressed.
“In the past years, we didn’t know where to go to and whom to talk to,” one veteran said.
San Agustin will remain in the CNMI this week to assist veterans. She and CNMI Military Veterans Affairs Executive Director Ruth Coleman will be at the Rota mayor’s office from 8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. today. Tomorrow and on Wednesday, they will be at the Tinian municipal council office , and at the Veterans Affairs Office on Capital Hill, Saipan on Aug. 26 and 27.
For more information, call 664-2650, or visit the Office of Military/Veterans Affairs on Capitol Hill, Building 1364.
