Mark Rabago
RNZ Pacific CNMI correspondent
The US Department
of Health and Human Services (HHS) has declared a public
health emergency for the Marianas – the Commonwealth of the
Northern Mariana Islands (CNMI) and Guam – following the
devastation caused by Super Typhoon Bavi.
The
declaration will allow federal authorities to expand
healthcare support and emergency response efforts.
The
declaration, announced by HHS Secretary Robert Kennedy Jr,
follows emergency declarations issued by US President Donald
Trump for both territories.
“The people of Guam and
the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands are not
facing this storm alone,” Kennedy said.
“Today, I
declared a Public Health Emergency so HHS can move faster,
expand critical healthcare flexibilities, and deliver the
support communities need.”
The declaration allows the
Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services to provide
emergency waivers and other flexibilities so healthcare
providers can continue serving patients during the
recovery.
The Department of Health and Human Services
said existing emergency measures put in place after Super
Typhoon Sinlaku will remain in effect while additional
authorities are implemented under the new
declaration.
Ahead of Bavi’s arrival, the department
said it had pre-positioned federal medical teams in Guam and
Saipan, including a Health and Medical Situational
Assessment Team, two National Disaster Medical System Health
and Medical Task Forces, and an Incident Management
Team.
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John Knox, the department’s principal deputy
assistant secretary for preparedness and response, said the
advance deployment would help speed recovery
efforts.
“Preparedness means getting the right people
and resources into position before they’re needed,” Knox
said.
The department said additional medical teams
remain on standby and behavioural health personnel are also
ready to deploy if required.
Federal officials are
also using the HHS emPOWER programme, which identifies
Medicare beneficiaries dependent on electricity-powered
medical equipment such as oxygen concentrators, ventilators
and dialysis services, to help prioritise assistance during
prolonged power outages.
The department said it
continues to coordinate with the Federal Emergency
Management Agency, the governments of Guam and the CNMI, and
other federal agencies as recovery operations
continue.
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