By Emmanuel T. Erediano
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Variety News Staff
COMMONWEALTH Healthcare Corporation officials on Tuesday toured the site of the ongoing construction of the CNMI’s first MRI facility, which will house a brand-new, top-of-the-line MRI machine and a hyperbaric chamber in Lower Navy Hill.
Located north of the CHCC Dialysis Center, the $2.8 million facility is funded by a Leona M. and Harry B. Helmsley Charitable Trust grant, along with some federal funds. According to RNV Construction foreman Henry De Jesus, the facility is expected to be completed in either August or September of this year.
The 4,300-square-foot facility will operate as a clinic where patients needing MRI or hyperbaric treatment can receive care. On the west side, a 1,400-square-foot maintenance building will also be constructed.
CHCC Board of Trustees Chairman Juan N. Babauta said the facility will help reduce medical referral costs. “Instead of sending patients to Hawaii or Guam, for example, those needing MRI or hyperbaric treatment can now be attended to at the facility right next to CHCC,” he said.
Babauta added that he hopes the RNV construction team — including workers, engineers, and foremen — can complete the project on schedule or even ahead of schedule. “We want to open this clinic as soon as possible,” he said.
CHCC Chief Executive Officer Dr. Esther L. Muna said she is satisfied with the progress. “During the groundbreaking ceremony last year, we only had a perspective image of the project,” she said. “Now the facility is starting to take shape, despite the bad weather.”
Emmanuel “Arnold” Erediano has a bachelor of science degree in Journalism. He started his career as police beat reporter. Loves to cook. Eats death threats for breakfast.
