On Guam, healthcare is both personal and political. In this episode of My Jungle Voices, hosts Rindraty Limtiaco, Therese Padua-Howe, and Steve Limtiaco unpack what it really means to seek care on an island that’s part of the United States — but often treated like it’s not. With only one public hospital and a limited number of specialists, even routine care can become an uphill battle.

From heart surgeries that must be done off-island to long waits at local clinics, the conversation turns deeply personal. Rindraty shares her mother’s experiences traveling to Hawaii and Manila for cardiac procedures, while Therese recalls the stressful logistics of arranging her mother’s surgery in Los Angeles. Their stories reflect what so many island families face: The high emotional and financial costs of leaving home for care.

Yet, as Steve points out, it’s not all bleak. Many families still receive compassionate, capable care at Guam Memorial Hospital and in local clinics. But the underlying problem remains: too few specialists, too few nurses, and too many barriers for a population that depends on a fragile system. Even good doctors are stretched thin, and the lack of choice means accountability is hard to enforce.

This is part one of a two-part series. In part two, the hosts will turn to solutions — what real improvements could look like, and how Guam might build a system that truly meets its people’s needs. Because, as Rindraty says, the health of our island is the health of our people.