In his letter to Rep. Ralph DLG. Torres, R-Saipan and chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, Deputy Public Health Secretary Pete Untalan said they are currently “correcting technical deficiencies,” that were cited when the facility was inspected by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ survey and certification division.
Some of the equipment installed at the new dialysis center did not meet certain Medicaid requirements which delayed the operation of the new peritoneal and hemo-dialysis facilities.
Public Health told Torres that it will replace the current hemodialysis machines.
The department has solicited proposals for hemodialysis and peritoneal dialysis equipment.
Of the 12 parties that showed interest, Public Health said only two have submitted proposals.
When the new facility was inaugurated almost two years ago, only the Public Health offices and the women and children’s clinic moved in.
The dialysis facility is still not operational.
Lt. Gov. Eloy S. Inos, in a separate interview, said another factor that delayed the opening of the new facility was the contamination of its tap water.
Because the facility was not used for a certain period of time after its completion, the water pipes collected contaminants that affected the water.
The Commonwealth Health Center has 96 hemodialysis patients and eight peritoneal dialysis patients.
CHC, according to Untalan, is operating on three shifts daily to accommodate 47 patients during Monday, Wednesday and Friday and 49 patients on Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday.
