🇬🇺 Guam Healthcare Guide
Guam Memorial Hospital and Guam Regional Medical City are the island's two main facilities, and as a US territory, Guam follows the American healthcare model including the associated costs. The island is small enough that nowhere is far from a hospital, but specialist care may require a transfer to Hawaii or the US mainland. Having your medical records accessible — particularly if you're a US resident whose records are in a stateside system — speeds up care at hospitals that operate independently from mainland networks.
Quick facts
- Emergency number: 112
- Healthcare system: mixed
- Average GP visit: $60 USD
- EHIC/GHIC accepted: No
- Language barrier: medium
Healthcare overview
As a US territory, Guam operates under the US healthcare system, with Guam Regional Medical City (GRMC) as the main civilian hospital and Guam Memorial Hospital (GMH) as the public facility. US Naval Hospital Guam also provides emergency care and can assist civilians in serious situations, adding a layer of trauma capability uncommon for a Pacific island. Guam serves as the medical hub for the western Pacific, receiving patient referrals from Micronesia, the Marshall Islands, and Palau. GP visits cost $80–150, consistent with US rates.
Naval Hospital backup
US Naval Hospital Guam provides emergency care and can assist civilians in serious situations, adding trauma and surgical capability beyond the civilian hospitals.
Western Pacific referral hub
Guam receives medical referrals from across the western Pacific, giving its hospitals broader specialist experience than the island’s population alone would suggest.
Vaccinations
Recommended
- Hepatitis A
- Hepatitis B
- Typhoid
Prescriptions and pharmacies
Guam’s pharmacies follow US regulations, with chains and independent pharmacies available in Tamuning and Dededo. US prescriptions are accepted directly. Non-US prescriptions require a local doctor visit ($80–150) for a new script. Guam’s tropical climate means some heat-sensitive medications (insulin, certain biologics) need careful storage during transport and on the island.
Heat-sensitive medication storage
Guam’s tropical heat can affect insulin, some biologics, and certain other medications. Carry a cooling case and check storage requirements before travelling.
Tips for travellers
GRMC provides the broadest civilian specialist care on the island, supplemented by Naval Hospital capabilities for emergencies. For complex chronic conditions, Honolulu’s hospitals (Queen’s Medical Center, Tripler Army Medical Center) are the primary referral destination, about 8 hours by air. Having your treatment history accessible in English means US-system specialists in Guam or Hawaii can review your case immediately, which is valuable given the per-visit cost of the US system.
Honolulu referral pathway
Queen’s Medical Center and Tripler in Honolulu are the primary specialist referral destinations. Direct flights operate daily from Guam.