“I challenge them (health officials) to be sure to open on that date and to meet the deadline to have nephrologists,” said Rep. Ralph DLG Torres, chairman of the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare, in an interview with the Variety yesterday.
Department of Public Health Acting Secretary John M. Tagabuel told Torres the dialysis center is scheduled to be opened on August 15.
“The testing of the water system is on-going and certification proceeds after the testing phase,” Tagabuel in his July 22 letter further informed legislators.
CHC medical staffing requires at least two doctors at the Nephrology Department, a government policy states.
When sought for comment, Variety was told Tagabuel was in a meeting.
The Fitial administration is also collaborating with concerned agencies in recruiting kidney doctor, said Press Secretary Charles Reyes Jr.
Since April, CHC’s dialysis center has been operating without a permanent kidney doctor to look after patients, like those undergoing hemodialysis.
At present, CHC’s dialysis center is getting advice from a nephrologist through the telephone because the kidney specialist is based on Guam.
