"Witch Doctors are healers of ailment in many traditional cultures around the world. Suruhanos are these traditional healers on the island of Guam. Men were predominately the main practitioners. The term Suruhana came to be when women started to practice healing." - Patrick McMakin
There has been little documentation about health during the Spanish era. During this era, there was a lack of competent medical personnel.
One of the main diseases that presided over Guam was Leprosy. As early as the 1600's, western explorers that came to Guam documented that the Chamorros of the Mariana Islands had been infected by Hansen's disease, or leprosy. The first known leprosy hospital was constructed in the year 1831. It was ordered by Governor Francisco Ramon de Villa.
On April 1890, the government established another facility in Pago. It held about 100 people until 1899. Patients slowly started leaving, as treatment was not being enforced, and opted for health care provided by the traditional healers.