Two unusual security incidents at Guam Memorial Hospital, both carried out by Chief Medical Officer Dr. Verrad Kwasi Nyame, have triggered a firestorm between hospital leadership and the chair of the legislative health committee.

Senator Sabrina Salas Matanane, in a May 1 letter, said the actions created a “climate of fear” and suggested they reflect “a disturbing lapse in judgment.”

“These alleged actions have sparked fear and anxiety among nurses, physicians, and other employees… raising concerns about Dr. Nyame’s mental state and fitness to serve,” said Matanane. 

Among the reported incidents: Dr. Nyame allegedly entered the hospital with an unloaded firearm, and days later, lay in the parking lot pretending to be unconscious, both to test security response as a small-scale active shooter exercise.

“A potential threat, an active shooter, it can happen at any time. It can be anybody, it could have been me who had gone crazy, but it was more to enhance and increase the awareness, the responsiveness, readiness and preparedness in the event something like this happens...it can happen anytime,” said Hospital Administrator Lillian Perez-Posadas. 

Posadas responded with a sharp letter of her own on May 2, defending Dr. Nyame and calling the senator’s tone alarmist.

“While I appreciate her concern because it was brought to her, I want to make sure she understands it was kind of a little disturbing - conclusions and judgements were arrived at without really knowing all the facts,” said Posadas. 

Perez-Posadas confirmed the incidents did occur but said Dr. Nyame coordinated with GMHA security in advance, and that both “tests” were used to debrief and improve hospital readiness.

“This was a mock exercise that increased the awareness of our security,” said Posadas. “He discussed it with myself,also with the security supervisor, and some of the nursing managers on the floors that he was going to be coming around to alleviate some of their anxiety   and to be aware and ready to respond.”

She adds that the clip of Dr. Nyame with the unloaded firearm which has went viral on social media and WhatsApp, is abbreviated from the full security footage.

“It only shows Dr. Nyame taking out the gun and it was at the tailend of the exercise he had already went around and he was already heading to security to turn in the weapon,” said Posadas. 

As for if GPD was informed that such an exercise would take place?

“We did not communicate with GPD, like I said, it was internal and small scale,” she said. 

She added that a full-scale active shooter drill had been planned, but was postponed after the hospital identified training gaps that needed to be addressed first.

The GMH Chief said she has full confidence in Dr. Nyame’s leadership and ability to serve.

“I hope people look at it as a learning opportunity, and not judge dr. nyame. it was for a purpose of security,” Posadas said. “I know people have expressed they were fearful, they were afraid, they felt intimidated, you know in a real life situation, there will be fear, there will be chaos, there will be panic,  but they will know how they will feel and react and know how to respond appropriately.”