Residents on the island interviewed randomly by Variety yesterday expressed their apprehensions over the crisis besetting the Tinian Health Center.
This week, the island’s lone physician Dr. Steve Labamoff, resigned but the newly created Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. has yet to find a replacement.
Keiko Manglona, 57, said their “small island needs to be cared for” by providing a permanent doctor.
She also would like a female doctor so female patients, like her, would always feel comfortable during check-ups.
The doctor assigned at the THC should stay longer, according to Manglona, so the doctor will have a good tracking on the patients’ medical history and update.
“This is kind of scary in case we get sick and injured,” she said.
A student from the Tinian High School, who declined to be identified, said the delivery of health services is affected without a permanent physician at the center.
She understands that funding constraint is one of the reasons for not having more than one doctor, but the “government should spend wisely the money and look for ways to generate funds.”
Lin Castro, another resident, said he’s not satisfied with the situation at the THC.
The government, he said, should hire two doctors who will work 24/7 on the island.
“We don’t feel safe anymore here,” he said, adding that in emergency cases, THC has to call doctors at CHC to get proper medication.
For his part, Michael Reyes said the government should also think about the people of Tinian.
“If there’s no doctor how could they better service the people,” he said.
The new policy which suspends transportation funds for medical referral patients also aggravated the problem, he said.
A long-time nonresident worker said he is “so worried” about the absence of doctor at the center.
“If you are a parent and have children this would worry you a lot. What will happen, in cases of emergency and something happens to your children? Who will take care of them?” he asked.
All of those interviewed have expressed satisfaction with how the nurses at the THC are performing their jobs.
Some refused to comment saying they don’t want to offend their family members working at the center.
The administration office at THC was closed yesterday and the nurses refused to issue any statements to Variety yesterday.
“The nurses are good. They attend to their patients without any complaints,” said another resident. “But we need a good doctor more.”
Now that THC is under the corporation, another Tinian resident said they are worried they would pay more for getting regular checkups.
“This is additional burden to us, especially most of us have no work,” she said.
Another resident pointed out that the corporation should look more into the qualifications of the THC staff.
“They should conduct a desk audit for all the staff and employees to determine whether they are really qualified for the positions they hold,” he said.
