Aging Office Director Rose Mondala said the students will report to the center three hours every day and four days a week.
“This is an annual event to provide continuous health services to our manamko’,” she said.
She said they have list of congregates with health issues like diabetes who will benefit from the program.
The center, she added, will provide all the supplies and equipment needed by the students.
Mondala said the trainees will have their own clinic at the center and each congregate will be provided with a monitor sheet for their regular examination.
A physician will also visit the center once a week, she added.
Dr. Larry Hocog is no longer providing services to the center, she said, adding that they will hire a new doctor who specializes on the elderly.
“We just feel the need to change. There’s nothing wrong though with Dr, Hocog,” she said.
According to the center’s Four-Year State Plan, Mondala said medical staff members of the Commonwealth Health Center and other private clinics are conducting health screening for the senior citizens on a regular basis.
The health services include blood pressure checks, blood sugar count, weight checks, verification of prescription drugs and maintenance of secondary medical records at the center, Mondala said.
She said health advocate groups in the CNMI also offer free workshops on how to stay active and healthy.
The CNMI Diabetes Coalition regularly conducts education campaign on how to avoid diabetes, she added.
“Our office promotes the healthy living of older persons and the prevention of diseases through health risk assessments, routine health screening, nutritional counseling and education, health promotion programs, physical fitness, music, arts, dance-movement therapy, home injury control, mental health screening and other services,” Mondala said.
