THE construction of an outpatient pharmacy drive-thru at the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation began Thursday with a groundbreaking ceremony.
RNV Construction is the contractor of the $1.356 million project which is scheduled to be completed by Sept. 30, 2023.
Funding was provided by the U.S. Department of the Interior.
In her remarks, CHCC Chief Executive Officer Esther Muna thanked her staff for their hard work as well as CNMI lawmakers, Gov. Arnold I. Palacios and the U.S. Department of the Interior for their support.
“This project is necessary to protect our patients and our staff,” Muna said.
A drive-thru pharmacy will provide a safe and convenient access to medicine especially amid a global pandemic, she added.
She said it is especially beneficial to immune-compromised individuals such as patients who have TB or HIV and are undergoing treatment at CHCC.
CHCC Board Vice Chair Polly Masga also thanked the CHCC team and lawmakers for their support in “making the project a reality.”
“Contrary to what people think, the pandemic is not over,” Muna said, as she emphasized the importance of taking precautions such as maintaining social distancing in public places.
In an interview, House Speaker Edmund Villagomez congratulated CHCC for another milestone.
“This is the first drive-thru pharmacy in the CNMI,” he said. “Social distancing is a continuous practice in this time of pandemic. This drive-thru is helpful in making sure that the community has access to medicine and pharmaceutical services and still be able to practice social distancing,” he added.
Lawmakers join officials and staff of the Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation as well as the representatives of the project contractor in a groundbreaking ceremony for an outpatient pharmacy drive-thru at CHCC on Thursday.
Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation Chief Executive Esther Muna delivers her remarks during a groundbreaking ceremony for an outpatient pharmacy drive-thru at the hospital on Thursday.
