Hagåtña, Guam – Governor Lou Leon Guerrero presented eight new beds today, valued at $20,000 each, to strengthen Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and Surgical Ward resources, and serve patients in other critical care areas at the Guam Memorial Hospital Authority.
“This is our Administration’s commitment in this era of recovery: short-term solutions that address our immediate healthcare needs and long-term investments that secure the stability and quality of our healthcare systems to serve our community for generations to come,” said Governor Leon Guerrero. “With federal funds, we have this once-in-a-generation opportunity to address the legacy of healthcare neglect under prior administrations.”
“To date, we have implemented innovative telemedicine pathways, increased nurse pay, and funded new ICU beds, ambulances, and other resources to improve our state of healthcare now as we simultaneously pursue the bigger picture of a Guam Medical Complex,” said Lt. Governor Josh Tenorio. “This is the kind of investment that is essential to quality healthcare and the resilient hospital workers who responsibly balance the scales of life each day.”
“The donation of these high-tech beds will help in the healing process of our patients,” said GMHA Administrator and CEO Lillian Perez-Posadas “The beds are very comfortable and have state-of-the-art features that relieve some of the discomfort patients may feel during their recovery. We are grateful to the Governor and Lt. Governor for their consideration of our patients and hospital workers, and their continued commitment to improving the recovery experience.”
The GMHA identified the need to increase the total number of Intensive Care Unit Beds after the COVID-19 pandemic revealed a shortage of beds necessary to handle high occupancy numbers and emergency surges. In 2020, a total of 447 patients were treated at GMHA, with total admissions equal to 127 days for an average length of stay of 17 days. By increasing the number of critical care beds, GMHA is better prepared to respond to future outbreaks and surges.
The presentation was broadcast live via the Governor’s Facebook page. To view the ceremony in its entirety, visit facebook.com/govlouguam.
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