Congressman Gregorio Kilili Camacho Sablan made the request for the grant funds on behalf of Tinian. Babauta made the announcement to Tinian officials during a tour of the Tinian Health Center on Friday.
“Assistant Secretary Babauta deserves everyone’s deep appreciation,” said Sablan. “Being an islander himself he understands that the people of Tinian have to have access to basic health services on-island both for day-to-day care and for emergencies.
“The $380,000 the Office of Insular Affairs has made available to Tinian will go a long way to bolstering the Tinian Health Center’s capacities and to help keep the people of Tinian well.
“I would be remiss if I did not mention Interior Secretary Ken Salazar, who is also turning out to be a very understanding supporter of the U.S. insular areas,” Sablan said.
Assistant Secretary Babauta and Sablan, along with Gov. Benigno R. Fitial traveled together to Tinian for the tour. Babauta made the grant announcement in the presence of Tinian Mayor Ramon Dela Cruz and Public Health Resident Director Raymond Dela Cruz and Tinian’s legislative delegation and municipal government leadership.
Afterward, Freddie U. Hofschneider, special advisor for the Tinian Health Center, expressed his thanks to the Assistant Secretary. “On behalf of Director Dela Cruz, the staff and management of Tinian Health Center, I would like to extend ‘Un Dankulu Na Si Yu’us Ma’ase’ for your visit to Tinian Health Center, more importantly your granting of almost $400,000 to acquire badly needed medical equipment.”
Among the medical needs that Tinian officials identified and Sablan requested were X-ray equipment; a defibrillator, ECG machine, and bedside cardiac monitor; as well as a 3D ultrasound machine, beds, and dental supplies.
Sablan has made it his mission to bring Babauta to see all of the commonwealth’s public health facilities. The two previously have visited the Commonwealth Health Center on Saipan and Rota’s Health Center, but weather conditions prevented a planned Tinian trip in January.
“I invited Secretary Babauta to come back to the NMI for a second try at the Tinian visit,” Sablan explained. “I am glad that he was able to find time to do so, and especially glad that he was able to deliver such welcome news to the people of Tinian.”
Sablan noted that $500,000 was made available for Rota Health Center in January. But the congressman has made a request for an additional grant to be provided to Rota Health Center. Details of that request are currently under discussion.
“I am grateful to Mrs. Angela Manglona for bringing to my attention the additional needs of Rota’s Health Center and to Rota’s need for a school bus,” Sablan said. “I look for the bus to be delivered in time for next year’s school opening.
“Assistant Secretary Babauta has shown that he will be an excellent partner with all of the U.S. territories,” Sablan said. “I look forward to continuing to work together with him and the Office of Insular Affairs to serve the needs of all our islands.”
//
