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Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 520
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Being a fanatic salt water flats fly fisher, my son and I made our first trip to AC last November and became addicted. We will be back next November to ease the pain of this addiction for a week. We really need to make the move. This presents some of the common problems that are usually faced by us R.O.Fs. 1) The ol' girl that I've slept with for the past 56 years is troubled with COPD and needs close medical attention. 2) I haven't found a lot of information about the facilities available at the new hospital on AC of how it is staffed,,, other than the frequent visits by Cuban doctors to the island. 3) Is there a shortage of general practitioners and surgeons on AC,,, and are surgeries performed at the new hospital?
Our family doctor and another local GP are both approaching retirement. Is there a place for these people on AC and could the folks in charge be in a position to make some form of consessions to them for their services? I ask "Is there a place for them" because I can appreciate that there may be a contingent of folks on the island that would not wish to have certain of the local facilities expanded because it would be a positive influence on immigration of new retirees to San Pedro. A condition like this did occur in our little Ozark community several years back. The Lake of the Ozarks, was for years,not much more than a weekend fishing resort for folks from Kansas City. Then on day they built a first class hospital and the retirees hit the beach like a swarm of locusts. Well you can guess what happened to the real estate values and to the working community of locals.
Anyway, Is there a place for retiring U. S. doctors in your hospital, and if so what would you ask them to bring with them?

I'd bet I'm not the only tourist who would like to know about these things.


I'll be happy to discuss my avatar with anyone who knows what it is.
Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,050
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Don

There isn't a shortage of physicians on the island, but the facilities are very limited. Surgeries are not performed at the new "hospital". The hospital is actually a poly clinic where folks can go and see a GP or consult with visiting specialist. The clinic does not even have x-ray capabilities yet.

A number of wonderful, caring non-Belizean physicians apply for licenses to practice in Belize but the requirements are too difficult for most of them to comply with.

There are quite a few visiting specialists that dedicate their time, energy and resources to making regular consultancy sessions, but then most patients then need to go abroad for additional care or simply rely on volunteer assistance locally.


Joined: Apr 2006
Posts: 520
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Thanks for your response Amanda. It is appreciated and most informative. Sorry,,, I was unaware that health care was a taboo subject.


I'll be happy to discuss my avatar with anyone who knows what it is.
Joined: Jan 2003
Posts: 7,479
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"I was unaware that health care was a taboo subject."

It's not, it's the hurdles you have to deal with if you want to gain entry. Kind of like getting a US visa or green card ;-)

Joined: Nov 2006
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Just wondering, at this new clinic, do they employ RN's, nd are they looking for any?

Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,050
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I don't know about how the hiring of RN's is handled by the ministry of health.

However, if you were hoping to get by with a fair (not high) lifestyle chances are you would be able to find private employment that would not pay on a scale that you are accustomed to, but could be worthwhile and allow you to enjoy the country.

Joined: Aug 2004
Posts: 842
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You will need to get a Belize nursing license to practice in Belize. The department of nursing is very clear that you need residency, an active US license in good standing, and a sponser in the medical field in Belize. My experience as a nurse and a patient is that medical care in Belize is excellent if you can afford to pay for a private doctor. The Cuban docs are wonderfu, though, that work at the Lions Clinic. In fact, Dr. Allyson probably saved me when I fractured my spine. There are 2 major deficits in care, one is chemotherapy and the other is mental health.

Joined: Aug 2004
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PS Hey Amanda. Love to Christine


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