Guam’s healthcare system is a wreck. And with the compounding issue of chronic illness in the aging population, that wreck shows no signs of improvement. Take a look at Guam Memorial Hospital. It’s in the worst condition it’s ever been, according to longtime hospital staff. And GMH is only one part of a multi-faceted system of care. A broken system of care.
Despite promises made since 2018 by the current governor, access to medical care remains one of the largest healthcare problems for tens of thousands of men, women, and children on Guam. There isn’t even a public plan to get us there. Prevention to stop the generational onset of chronic disease? No substantive government programs visible.
Dennis and Lena Rodriguez saw this coming in 2016, when Mr. Rodriguez chaired the legislative health committee and saw the statistics. Too many Guamanians didn’t have health insurance, because they worked in private sector jobs and made too much money to qualify for Medicaid. Too many women were not getting age-recommended breast exams. Too many kids needed basic shots and TB tests for school. Too many non-fluent English speakers and readers were not getting the medical and preventative services the government provides simply because of literacy.
The government then, as it is now (and likely worse), was just so bureaucratic and disjointed, its resources always so lacking where the significant gaps grow, that it could not – cannot – provide solutions.
So, the Rodriguezes started the Todu Guam Foundation.
More than just the clinic on wheels that gives out shots
This perspective above is important because many of us see Todu Guam as what it started out to be: A souped-up truck that went to different places to give out shots to people.
Todu Guam is so much bigger than that; and it’s growing. Today it is the one non profit solution that can be counted on in Guam for people who can’t rely on the government to get them healthcare. It’s not going to provide a medical or financial miracle for everyone, but it is getting darn close to closing gaps the government likely hasn’t even envisioned exist.
“Guam’s healthcare system distributes services inefficiently and unevenly across its populations,” information on the Todu Guam Foundation website states. “Non-US-born citizens, Migrants, and low-income communities lack access to care and preventive health due to social determinants and poor health literacy. In addition, transportation and service costs are amongst the highest reasons these groups need more healthcare service delivery. TGF’s target community ranks high in communicable diseases and non-communicable diseases and lacks access to no-cost preventive services.”
Help for people with heart disease, at-risk for stroke, cancer
Todu Guam’s efforts to address these health disparities are what have brought the foundation infusions of federal and other grants to operate what essentially is a medical and preventative health care operation.
In 2019 the foundation began a multilingual health education and outreach program that targeted people at highest risk for heart disease, stroke, and cancer.
Free HPV vaccines, pap smears, and emotional, behavioral and mind care
Following its education efforts, Todu Guam opened a clinic for women to get the HPV vaccine, pap smears, and to receive “Well Woman Checkups.”
“In this consultation, we look into your health,” the foundation’s website states. “Here, we focus on preventive care for women. We help you make informed health decisions through education and counseling.”
These are at no cost to the foundation’s clients.
Last year Todu Guam expanded its suite of services into the realm of emotional, behavioral, and mental health wellness you will not find anywhere else on the island. These range from services for children in need to therapies for veterans and people struggling with addiction.
Financial aid
Have a doctor and insurance but you can’t afford all the extra expenses for the treatments and additional expenses of medical care you need? Todu Guam has a financial aid program, too. You might qualify.
According to the foundation, they have developed a network of partners in the medical community they can work with in case you fail to meet some government program eligibility requirement for aid. They “will aid patients needing accommodations, travel assistance, or co-payment assistance for off-island medical treatments or procedures.”
There was a time on Guam, when it seemed like care for kids and the family was within the breadwinner’s reach. That is an island long past in our memories. If you are not dependent on medical insurance subscription through the local or federal government, or through Medicaid or Medicare, getting sick or getting hurt or needing to cope with the realities of deteriorating mind health is a part of life you likely cannot afford.
But, that’s just it. Life happens. Not only do you need a medical system of care that works – one where you’re not left behind – you need health care that helps you to prevent problems.
This is what Todu Guam does, and it’s shocking to me that more is not made – especially by our government – about the resource–the solution–this foundation provides. I just had to write about it and tell people who aren’t aware, or maybe still think Todu Guam is just the clinic on wheels it was nearly a decade ago.
No. It’s now a medical and mind health center you can turn to, not only in their outreaches, but also at their new center in the Sunny Plaza in Tamuning.
Call them. (671) 649-8638. Check out their website: toduguam.com.
This place may be the solution to the healing you need and you thought you’d never get.
