Hi all ~ My 18 month old son and I are scheduled to travel to Caye Caulker next week, and I am growing a little apprehensive about access to care if he were to have a medical issue. He has eczema and asthma, with food and environmental allergies as main culprits.

If a young child were to have a serious asthma attack or allergic episode, are there good facilities to care for him on an emergency basis? If not, how quickly can one get to care on the mainland? And is there reason to worry about malaria on the island? (Antimalarial measures may do my son more harm than chancing a bug bite.)

Thanks ~ we are really looking forward to our visit, but want to make sure all our bases are covered "just in case".

hi---
i have the same ailments as your son and had some bad skin rashes (eczema/extremely sensitive skin related) last summer. i sought treatment at the caye caulker medical clinic. the nurse conferred with a doctor by phone and was authorized to give me a steroid shot that calmed my problem down some. the clinic itself is in need of basic supplies (search here & on ambergris caye web site) and while they are well-meaning, i do not think it is wise to count on the clinic in case of acute emergency. getting to the mainland takes about 40 minutes but finding a boat to take you there if the water taxi is not available would be the problem. you do not say how bad your child's asthma is (i just use a puffer occasionally) but if you need to take special prescription or breathing treatment precautions, do so. overall, i think that the fresh sea breezes keep down dust and other asthma irritants. i have never had any attacks in belize but everyone is different. i don't think malaria is a major concern, just use lots of oil to keep bugs off. (i had a horrific skin reaction to deep woods off last year after i left the caye & went to the jungle. i'd have been better off sticking with my avon skin so soft.)

that's all i can think of for now. have a great trip! i am leaving for belize tomorrow!
(and i saw my dermatologist before i left and have all my pills and goops prepacked this time.)

cheers,
gogo

Hi,

During daylight hours Maya and Tropic have flights hourly to the mainland (appx 10 minute flight). Belize Emergency Response Team (BERT) also has an air ambulance. After dark in a life threatening emergency the British Airforce will send a chopper. OJ Holden at Paradise Down Scuba heads the island's First Response Team. His email is paradisedown@btl.net.

Feel free to email OJ or me (bzross@btl.net)directly if you have more questions or concerns.

Am sure you and your son will have a wonderful, safe vacation on Caye Caulker.

Come and enjoy,

Liz