FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE (January 14, 2025 – Hagåtña, Guam) – Senator Therese M. Terlaje has re-introduced legislation to restore critical medical and family care services lost by the 2019 abrupt closing of the public health clinic in Mangilao. As pointed out during testimony by the Acting Chief Public Health Officer, the Mangilao facility was the sole location offering specific essential services. The facility housed critical resources, including a new X-ray machine, laboratory, dental office, and other vital equipment, all of which were left unused following its closure, leading to the discontinuation of those services. The Administrator for the Bureau of Family Health and Nursing Services also testified that only half as many pregnant patients were being cared for outside of the Mangilao facility and half as many patients treated for communicable disease as of January 2024, and urged the reopening of maternal health, communicable disease, blood testing, lab, x-ray, pharmacy, and dental services to address the critical need for accessible healthcare services in Guam. Bill No. 12-38(COR) proposes reserving Lot No. 2417-1-R7, the former Department of Public Health and Social Services (DPHSS) main building in Mangilao, for immediate use as a central health clinic. The legislation also authorizes continued partnership with federally funded community health centers, and the Guam Community College Nursing Program, to strengthen Guam’s healthcare workforce.
The Mangilao facility, which was forced to close in 2019 due to a fire, once served as a central hub for essential health services. Before its closure, the facility recorded over 8,300 service encounters annually, including nearly 1,800 women’s health services and 600 child health services. Since the facility’s closure, these numbers have plummeted by 49%, with child health services seeing a staggering 73% decline by 2023.
“This decline represents more than just numbers—it reflects families unable to access the care they need,” said Speaker Terlaje. If enacted, the bill will empower DPHSS to immediately rebuild its capacity to deliver comprehensive health services, mitigate barriers to care, and restore public trust in Guam’s healthcare infrastructure. Additionally, if the property is not utilized as intended within five years, the legislation ensures its transfer to Guam Community Health Centers to fulfill the same purpose.
“This bill aims to urgently restore the clinic and services that were lost, and directly address the disparities in healthcare suffered and rising since 2019,” Speaker Terlaje concluded.
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ATTACHED: Bill No. 12-38 (COR)
For more information, please contact Senator Therese M. Terlaje’s office at (671) 472-3586 or via e-mail at senatorterlajeguam@gmail.com