On the Governor and the hospital
 

by Tony Blaz - 
KUAM's Political Insider
April 15, 2004

Over the past few months our community has been rocked by crisis after crisis at our island's only hospital. Governor Felix Camacho has sent several of his top level staff to assist the hospital through all of its difficulties.

The Governor has also announced Mr. Bill McMillan's resignation and yesterday Mr. McMillan very graciously bowed out. Mr. Peter John Camacho has been appointed interim administrator and Mr. Joseph F. Mesa as the associate administrator.

Make no mistake our governor has indicated that he wants change - positive change that will be committed to completed our hospital's mission. It's about time that our leaders place the interests of our people above what we commonly refer to in Chamorro as 'interes.'

Special interest agendas, non-medical expenditures, the hiring of two law firms, engaging in contractual services that duplicate existing services, etc., are not priorities GMH should be engaged in, given all of its financial shortcomings. And what of the lack of critical medicines, medical supplies, equipment and personnel?

Why weren't theses the top priorities of GMH?

When it comes to health care most island residents simply have no choice but to utilize GMH whenever they become seriously ill. This is especially true for all families who are financially challenged and even for those who can afford to go off-island, if they become too ill, GMH is their only alternative.

I say, that it is important that we rally behind our governor and trust in his ability to turn things around at our hospital. He has appointed very competent and proven leaders to take over the hospital administration. As stakeholders in our island's only hospital, it will be in our best interest to assist Governor Camacho in every way possible to insure that GMH fulfills its mission of providing quality health care for all of us!    

Tony Blaz hosts "Positively Local", a radio talkshow on Isla61-AM everyday from 6-10am