Governor set on breaking ground on new hospital in Mangilao in 2025

The Government of Guam is moving full steam ahead with breaking ground on a new Guam Memorial Hospital. The governor confirming today her administration plans to still have it built in Mangilao.

After months of debate over where to put a new public hospital, it seems the Government of Guam still has its eyes set on one central village. when asked if she's keen on a potential new hospital in the Mangilao-Barrigada area, Governor Lou Leon Guerrero said, "Mangilao, for sure."

The exact location in Mangilao has not yet been confirmed. The process to secure the land however remains with the Guam Housing and Urban Renewal Authority. Adelup confirming one option is to have it built along Route 15 – the Back Road to Andersen Air Force Base.

During a tour at the Guam Memorial Hospital on Tuesday morning, the governor was confident GovGuam will turn the dirt on a new facility in 2025.

"My goal is to do groundbreaking by next year and believe me we are going to meet that goal," she said. "We have to there is no other way. We just have to."

GMH administrator Lillian Posadas echoing that rebuilding in Tamuning is not the best option, saying, "We are not going to have more parking at the cliff line so really Mangilao is the better option." The governor added, "Just because the life of the building is five years, which is taken down because five years was like three years ago and that’s why I am very adamant about building a hospital. And so just because the life is there doesn’t mean you just don’t improve yourself. You have to continue improving in all areas."

For now, GMH continues working on upgrades within the existing building, adding the reputation of the hospital is changing. Leon Guerrero said, "When I hear people come through the ER, you know what they say to me, unsolicited? They say governor the people at the hospital are the best, the nurses are great, ER was great, it’s just the facility so I am not worries about the capacity or ability to provide care. I am more worries about the facility."

Governor Leon Guerrero says healthcare is going to be the best in Guam, while also telling senators seeking reelection that the $36 million in excess revenues for the current fiscal year should go toward GMH.

"If the senators are true to their word about going out there and campaigning that they want to provide healthcare to the people, then do it by giving them the money. They know this. I tell them this all the time," the governor said.