The construction of the center, which cost the government over $1.5 million, is almost complete but there is still no funding allotted for the equipment needed to open the facility.
Songsong said the purchase of the equipment should not be rushed because Medicare and Medicaid require certain standards for equipment that will be used for their beneficiaries.
It was originally planned to let a private entity run the facility so that an investor can take care of the equipment.
A request for proposal was drafted for the privatization of the Rota hemodialysis center.
In January however, the Rota legislative delegation changed the plan.
The Rota lawmakers, Songsong said, now want the government to procure the equipment.
Songsong recalled that when the Saipan hemodialysis center adjacent to the Commonwealth Health Center was completed, the government encountered some problems with the equipment that did not meet the standards of Medicare and Medicaid.
To avoid the same problem, Songsong said they want to make sure they are buying the right equipment for the Rota center.
DPW, he said, needs an expert to identify the equipment that meets federal standards.
DPW is now looking at a list of federally compliant equipment and after making its own determination, the department will meet with Rota’s lawmakers, Songsong added.
“We cannot just purchase something and find later on that it’s the wrong equipment. We want to make sure we’re buying the right equipment to avoid wasting public funds,” he said.
Last week, Sen. Paul A. Manglona, R-Rota, asked Songsong about the status of the equipment.
Rota’s lawmakers urged Songson to avoid further delays so that the facility can finally open.
