Gov. Benigno R. Fitial yesterday signed into law House Bill 17-62, now P.L. 17-8, reprogramming $1 million from the Tinian dialysis center construction to the renovation and rehabilitation of municipal buildings.
The funds will also be used to address the needs of the Tinian liaison office and medical referral units; the renovation and egress parking lot pavement; as well as the needs of the Tinian Health Center and other programs and services of the municipality.
The money for the dialysis center was originally appropriated through Public Law 13-56.
H.B. 17-62, which was introduced by Rep. Trenton B. Conner, R-Tinian, stated that $1 million is inadequate, and given the CNMI government’s financial condition, “it is unforeseeable” that funding for the operation of a dialysis center will be provided when it’s completed.
The bill also noted the difficulty in recruiting a nephrologist, thus it is “far more cost-effective to send patients to the newly built dialysis center on Saipan.”
In a separate interview, Senate Vice President Jude U. Hofschneider, R-Tinan, said there will be long-term savings if government agencies on Tinian move into municipal buildings instead of paying rent to privately owned establishments.
Hofschneider thanked Fitial for signing the measure.
