by Ken Quintanilla

Guam - Last week KUAM News reported one doctor's request for intervention from island leaders to resolve issues surrounding epidurals not being available for women giving birth at the Guam Memorial Hospital. And today it was revealed an investigation is now underway concerning several allegations of illegal activity regarding pain relief at Guam's only public hospital.

An incident that happened at GMH on Good Friday is now the subject of several investigations. KUAM News has learned it's been alleged that an anesthesiologist and an obstetrician, both employed by GMH, sought an upfront payment from a woman in labor who was seeking an epidural.

An investigation is underway at GMH after allegations have surfaced that an anesthesiologist and obstetrician allegedly asked for cash up front before administering pain relief medication to a woman in labor. According to chairperson of the Legislative Committee on Health, Senator Dennis Rodriguez Jr., the allegations were brought to his attention this morning, which in turn he immediately called GMH medical director and acting hospital administrator Dr. Larry Lizama to conduct an investigation.

"But I also asked to ensure that proper law enforcement authorities are contacted and they be part of the investigation, so after that I took it upon myself as well to contact Chief of Police Fred Bordallo and spoke and brought this to his attention as well and requested he pursue an investigation because this is criminal in nature, these allegations," said the senator.

although hospital officials aren't releasing specific details of the investigation, KUAM News has learned that the allegations stem from an incident that occurred last Friday when a Korean woman in labor asked for an epidural. Allegedly an OB-GYN physician and anesthesiologist - both employed by GMH - said they could not give the epidural but could instead provide intrathecal narcotics, but only if she and her husband paid $600 cash up-front. Reportedly a witness saw the woman's husband waiving money around.

Senator Rodriguez says if the allegation is true he believes it could be considered as extortion and deals another blow to GMH. He said, "We don't want these type of negative things to be in the obstacle in the progress and improvement at our only hospital."

Dr. Lizama declined an on-camera interview because of the ongoing investigation, but in a press release issued by GMH's legal counsel Tom Fisher, Lizama is quoted as saying, "I will not tolerate any impropriety among the medical staff. I assure the people of Guam that we are making every effort to get to the bottom of this matter and to hold people accountable for their actions."

In the meantime, KUAM News has received a copy of an e-mail that appears to be what prompted this entire investigation. The message was sent by the Korean woman's physician to Dr. Lizama. He details specifics of the incident and says the physician who received the cash told him the anesthesiologist told him he was personally assured by Governor Eddie Calvo that it was okay to accept payment. Governor's communications director Troy Torres reacted saying, "That's an outright lie", adding, "There may be worried people who may be involved who may say anything to avoid liability."