A MAJORITY of the public comments received regarding the proposed amendment to health regulations were against it, Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. Chief Executive Officer Esther L. Muna said Monday.
The proposal would require eligible students to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
“But at this point right now, it’s not so much the number [of comments received], it’s about the facts,” she added.
“The [CHCC board of trustees and I] will be looking into those as well. It’s really dependent on [the board’s] decision, whether or not they’re going to consider approving [the amendment]. If they are going to consider approving it, then a public hearing would be required and scheduled. If they are considering not to approve it, then there would be no public hearing, and no approval of the proposal, of course,” Muna said.
The board of trustees is scheduled to meet at 5:30 p.m. today, Wednesday, Dec. 1, in CHCC’s conference room 3.
“This [meeting] is for a discussion on whether or not to hold a public hearing,” Muna said. “That is a decision that [the board] has to make.”
The CHCC board will consider the comments and, if requested, will issue a statement for or against the adoption of the amendment, which will also require the approval of the attorney general.
If approved by the AG, the amendment will be published and become effective 10 days after publication.
The CNMI’s lone hospital developed and adopted these rules and regulations, and thus has the authority to amend them in accordance with Commonwealth law.
The current regulations require students to be vaccinated against diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, hepatitis B, polio, measles, mumps, rubella, and other communicable diseases.
The proposed new rule would add Covid-19 and its variants to this list.
No child is allowed to enroll in any public or private school within the CNMI unless evidence is presented to the enrolling officer that the child has had all applicable vaccinations or immunizations.
Valid health certificates will be required as proof upon enrollment.
The notice of proposed revisions was reviewed and approved by Attorney General Edward E. Manibusan for form and legal sufficiency, then published in the Commonwealth Register and posted in select public places.
Copies of the notice are available upon request from Heather Pangelinan, the CHCC administrator for mother, infant, child and adolescent health.
It can also be found online, along with the proposed amendments, at https://cnmilaw.org/pdf/cnmiregister/2021_Volume_43/2021_Number_10.pdf
Chair Lauri Ogumoro, vice chair Edward M. Deleon Guerrero, Corinne Santos, and Polly Masga comprise the CHCC board of trustees.
