HAGATñA — Guam will receive $150,000 from the federal government to help the island’s health care facility improve its ability to deal with potential bioterrorism attacks or disease outbreaks, said Congressman Robert Underwood, D-Guam.
The funding from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Hospital Preparedness Program is required to go through state health departments and will benefit Guam Memorial Hospital, said Dennis Rodriguez, director of Guam’s Department of Public Health and Human Services.
Underwood, D-Guam, said the $150,000 funding will be distributed in two increments—20 percent, or $30,000, will be released immediately.
“In order to initiate the first phase of our preparedness plan, and the remaining 80 percent ($120,000) will be released once the second phase of the plan is approved,” he said.
The remaining funds are expected to be released begin by May 15, after the second phase of the local plan is reviewed by the Health Resources Administration, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Office of Emergency Preparedness. That plan is due April 15, according to a press release from Underwood’s office.
The release of the second-half of funding is dependent on whether the objectives of the plan’s first phase are met, according to the release.
“I commend the Department of Public Health and Social Services for successfully completing the first step in the funding process and I encourage them to work just as diligently for the second phase,” Underwood said.
