Friday, January 28, 2022 (Honolulu, HI) – Yesterday, PIHOA Executive and Associate Board Members discussed how their respective jurisdictions are dealing with COVID-19 as we enter the third year of the pandemic.

“There’s more to our healthcare systems other than what we’re seeing now with COVID-19,” said PIHOA Board President and CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation CEO Esther Muña.
 
Board Members emphasized that since the pandemic started, it amplified the weaknesses of our health care systems and the improvements needed.
 
“The one thing that COVID made clear is our communities during COVID just showed how ill we are as a community, pre-COVID with diabetes, hypertension, overweight, etc.,” said PIHOA Associate Member and Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center Director Theresa Arriola. She stressed the importance of getting back to basic prevention on all fronts, not just COVID.
 

In attendance:

  • CEO Esther Muña, CNMI Commonwealth Healthcare Corporation
  • Director Art San Agustin, Guam Department of Public Health and Social Services
  • Minister Gaafar Uherbelau, Palau Ministry of Health and Human Services
  • Secretary Jack Niedenthal, RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services
  • CEO Lillian Perez-Posadas, Guam Memorial Hospital Authority 
  • Director Theresa Arriola, Guam Behavioral Health and Wellness Center
  • Secretary Jack Niedenthal, RMI Ministry of Health and Human Services
  • Emi Chutaro, PIHOA Executive Director
  • Janet Camacho, PIHOA Deputy Director of Programs and Operations
  • Elisa Dunlap, PIHOA Chief Finance Officer
  • Cerina Mariano, PIHOA Grants Administrator
  • Billie Hiraishi, PIHOA Communications Officer