U.S. Department of Health & Human Services
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U.S. Department of Health & Human Services |
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Improving the health, safety, and well-being of America |
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| FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Thursday, July 25, 2002 |
Contact: | IHS Press Office (301) 443-3593 |
"The completion of this hospital addresses a crucial need for quality medical services in this remote area," said HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson. "For 64 years, the original hospital provided health services to more than three generations of Navajo people. This new facility will continue that tradition of care and represents one avenue this Administration is taking to eliminate the health disparity between Indian people and the rest of the nation."
The existing main hospital building was constructed in 1938. Even though renovations were made in 1972 and 1977, the facility was architecturally unable to be further modernized to keep up with advances in medical technology and the changing health priorities of the increasing service population. Planning for this project started in the 1980s, with the site selected in June 1988. Total funding for the hospital construction, $94 million, and partial funding of $18 million for construction of staff quarters was appropriated in prior years by the Congress. The remaining $20 million for the quarters is contained in the President's fiscal year 2003 budget proposal for the Agency.
"The completion of this hospital will help address the need in Indian Country to replace outdated facilities and provide quality health services," said Michel E. Lincoln, IHS acting director, in his opening address at the dedication ceremony. "The new staff quarters will also help in our recruitment and retention efforts to staff the hospital. This process has succeeded as a result of collaborative work between the Navajo Nation and the HHS."
The 240,000 square-foot replacement health care facility will provide inpatient services for health care programs such as gynecological and general ambulatory surgery, obstetrical, pediatric, intensive care, labor and delivery, and adolescent psychiatry. In addition, a full range of non-specialty ambulatory care, community health, mental health, dental, and associated support services will be provided. The acute care program will have 36 beds, which consist of 12 for medical/surgical services, 4 for the Intensive Care Unit/Critical Care Unit, 8 for pediatrics, 7 for obstetrics, and 5 for labor/delivery/recovery/post partum. An additional 20 beds will be used by the adolescent psychiatric unit, which is a new service being provided by the IHS. Also, in cooperation with the Navajo Nation, space is being provided in the new hospital for eight tribal community health programs for 28 tribal staff positions.
The IHS is the principal federal health care provider and health advocate for American Indian and Alaska Native people. It is composed of 12 regional offices and a system of tribal and urban programs that provide health services to approximately 1.6 million American Indians and Alaska Natives who belong to more than 560 federally recognized tribes in 35 states.
Doors will open for service to patients on Aug. 1, 2002.
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