By Bryan Manabat
Saipan–There have been no live births in Rota for the past nine years, according to Rota Mayor Aubrey Hocog.
“Any time a woman is pregnant, they are sent to Saipan. Rota does not have the proper equipment to assist with births,” Hocog told the Pacific Island Times.
The mayor said Rota had the last live birth in 2015. “It was a high-risk pregnancy. It was successful but the administrators and doctors at that time did not want to risk that again for future mothers,” she said.
Rota’s health center began sending pregnant women to Saipan in 2016.
“If they were 36 weeks pregnant, they would send them early to Saipan or just to wait it out and have their final checkups at the Saipan hospital,” Hocog said.
The only medical facility in Rota is the Rota Health Center, which serves the island’s population of about 1,800.
Rota, known in Chamorro as “Luta,” is the southernmost island of the Northern Marianas. It lies approximately 40 nautical miles north-northeast of Guam.
Spanning over 400 miles from north to south, the CNMI is renowned for its lush landscapes, crystal-clear waters, and vibrant marine life.
The Commonwealth Healthcare Corp. is the CNMI’s primary health care provider.
Medical providers from the CHCC Family Care Clinic rotate into the Rota Health Center to provide care to patients seen at Rota outpatient clinics.
The Rota Health Center has five nurses, one laboratory technician, one phlebotomist, two pharmacy technicians, one radiologic technician and a dental assistant.
In its 2024 Title V Maternal and Child Health Services Block application, CHCC identified eight priorities for local families' health needs.
These priorities are: 1) ability to find and see a doctor when needed (access to health services; 2) breastfeeding; 3) prevention of adverse birth outcomes through prenatal care; 4) obesity-related issues including nutrition and physical activity; 5) coping skills and suicide prevention (adolescent health); 6) helping parents/caregivers navigate the healthcare system (children with special health care needs); 7) support for individuals, families, and communities to make changes that will make it more likely for youth to be healthy and successful; and 8) professionals have the knowledge and information to address the needs of maternal and child health populations.
The women's and children's clinics located at CHCC provide primary and preventive services for MCH target groups.
There are currently five OB/GYNs working at the CHCC Women's Clinic and two mid-level providers. There are currently eight pediatricians and one mid-level provider at CHCC.
The HIV/STD screening program, Family Planning Program, and Breast and Cervical Cancer screening program are also offered through the Women’s Clinic.
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