“Water testing is okay. We have upgraded the existing reverse osmosis, [federally] certified water system to produce more gallons of water to accommodate more patients per shift,” Untalan said in an interview with the Variety.
Without elaborating on the forgery scandal involving the previous water system of the dialysis center, Untalan said a law firm had been hired to address the matter.
Currently, he said there are three shifts for hemodialysis that are treating kidney patients.
Untalan also clarified John Tagabuel’s report to the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare that the dialysis center would be tentatively operational on Aug. 15.
Tagabuel was acting secretary during Untalan’s month-long absence.
Untalan returned to work last Monday.
“We will have the contractor to complete everything what needs to be completed to meet medical certification,” Untalan said.
Earlier, Tagabuel, together with Public Health and Commonwealth Health Center’s officials, appeared before the House Committee on Health, Education and Welfare to discuss various complaints regarding the delivery of services and the administration of CHC.
Lawmakers asked questions about the shortage of medical doctors and pointed out the importance of having a kidney specialist, especially with the number of kidney patients undergoing hemodialysis at CHC.
CHC currently consults a kidney specialist based on Guam through telephone, Public Health officials informed legislators.
But Untalan said Dr. Hormazdiar Dastoor will return to CHC in time for the opening of the new dialysis center.
