Villagomez said the secretaries of the Department of Public Health and Finance will look into the problems of the nurses, particularly the reported delay in the release of their salaries.
“My presence here in an indication of how we respect the nurses and their concerns,” the acting governor said, after a 30-minute tour of the hospital in line with the 22nd Annual Nurses Week which started on June 29.
Villagomez, along with his brother Public Health Secretary Joseph Kevin Villagomez, Health Deputy Secretary James Santos, House Health, Welfare and Education Committee Chairman Ralph DLG. Torres, Stellar Marianas president Laila Y. Boyer, and Miss Teen Marianas Ariel St. Clair were escorted by NMI Nurses Association president Lee Q. Castro and other nurses during the tour.
The group visited 10 departments and units at CHC including the hemodialysis department, the pediatric unit, intensive care unit, surgical unit, the operating room and the emergency room.
Acting Governor Villagomez said the importance of nurturing the profession of the nurses in CNMI is very vital in the maintenance of a healthy community.
In a separate interview, Castro said the lack of nurses is a Pacific-wide problem.
But compared to other hospitals in the Pacific region, Castro said CHC is a little bit ahead because “we have state of the art facilities and equipment.”
He said their association will pursue programs on continuing education by conducting a series of lectures, training and seminars for their member.
“Continuing education will help update the nursing profession on island and benefit the community they serve,” he added,
The CNMI Nursing Association, which has at least 102 members, will host the American Pacific Nurses Leaders Council on June 15-19 next year, Castro said, adding that it is a great honor for the commonwealth to host an event that takes place every 10 years only.
