Homeland Security accommodated the CNMI’s request, but once they’re treated the same patients can no longer pass through Guam when returning to the commonwealth.
Department of Public Health medical referral services manager Ronald D. Sablan said nonresident workers sent to Manila hospitals will have to make their own flight arrangements when they return to the CNMI.
The CNMI still have medical referral agreements with Manila hospitals for adult patients.
In light of the federalization of CNMI’s immigration system next year, it is feared that a nonresidents referred to a Manila hospital would have to go through the U.S. embassy there before he or she could return to the commonwealth.
Without direct Saipan-Manila flights, nonresidents in the CNMI who have no U.S. visas and are headed to the Philippines have to transit through Japan or Korea.
