by Andi Atteberry, KUAM NewsWednesday, January 19, 2005
As the growing level of unrest at the Guam Memorial Hospital continues, about 35 people banded together this afternoon on the front lawn of the Hospital. From the looks of things it seemed like a protest, but according to organizer Dr. Vince Akimoto, the event was a "health rally".Concerned representatives from the GMH medical staff, as well as the Guam Federation of Teachers, showed up to the GMH courtyard to share their thoughts on the current state of affairs at the Hospital. And while the agenda says the rally was to focus on solutions instead of personal attacks, emotions were running high. Said cause supporter Debbie Quinata, "We need our doctors, I don't think we need truly overpaid administration, I don't know why we need a medical director, I don't see why we need a glorified paper pusher which is exactly what it is." Dr. Kwang-Ming Chen added, "To make point is that we doctors are the geese who lay the golden eggs, but they are trying to kill the geese by all the regulations and by-law regs and all that, all of you out! Out!"GFT president Matt Rector tells KUAM News that his organization was at today's rally to try and convince the current Hospital board to negotiate contracts with GMH nurses. Also on the outline for this afternoon's demonstration was urging Governor Felix Camacho to declare GMH in a state of emergency and seek federal assistance to rectify its shortcomings.