Tired of politics, Guam Memorial Hospital turns to community for help
- Admin
- 2 hours ago
- 2 min read
By Pacific Island Times News Staff
Abandoning hope of getting solid support from elected leaders, Guam Memorial Hospital has resolved to take charge and self-manage its facilities while appealing for community assistance.
GMH today launched “Our Hospital. Our Mission. Our Island,” an initiative to "bring people together to uplift Guam’s only public hospital through volunteerism."
“When our community stands with us, it strengthens our ability to provide the care our people deserve. This is a moment for all of us to come together,” said Dr. Joleen Aguon, the hospital’s CEO.
Guam’s only public hospital is a frequent topic of election campaigns. However, it has always been in a crisis mode, plagued by low revenue, staffing shortages, depleted medical supplies, structural deterioration and other challenges often left unresolved amid political bickering.
In August, a fire broke out due to a faulty electrical system that had long been overdue for replacement. The replacement project was finally funded after a protracted debate between the administration and the legislature.
“We are not only restoring a building. We are restoring hope, trust, and strength in Guam’s public hospital,” Aguon said.
In a press release, GMH said the Our Hospital program "is rooted in the belief that GMH is built by the hands and hearts of Guam’s people. This includes the nurses, doctors, technicians, volunteers, and support staff who serve with compassion every day."
The initiative seeks to recruit hands-on support for GMH projects, including beautification, revitalization of hospital spaces, handiwork activities and campus cleanup.
GMH is seeking to tap organizations and community groups “to ensure that GMH can safely manage, coordinate and supervise activities within an active hospital environment.”
GMH recently began installing new cooling towers after receiving a 265-ton chiller and condenser, using a $40 million supplemental subsidy to finally fix the hospital’s long-neglected air-conditioning system, which had caused mold and humidity problems.
Earlier this month, GMH also broke ground for its roof and envelope restoration
project to harden the hospital’s structure.
The project includes upgrades to the hospital’s roof and exterior walls across all four floors, the replacement of typhoon shutters, and various structural improvements designed to fortify the building against Guam’s weather conditions.
“‘Our Hospital. Our Mission. Our Island.’ speaks to who we are as a people,” Aguon said. “GMH has always been more than a building. It is a place shaped by the hands and hearts of our island. Every nurse, every technician, every staff member who reports to duty does so because they believe in caring for our community. “
Gov. Lou Leon Guerrero welcomed the hospital’s initiative, saying, “GMH belongs to the people of Guam, and this movement reinforces that truth.”
“While we continue the work toward building a new hospital for our island, we remain committed to improving the current facility and supporting the staff who show up every day for our families,” she said.
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