AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area US Doctors in Belize

"You can argue all you want using US analogies. Plan fact - it does not apply to Belize"

Since I'm from the US what other analogies could I use.

I KNOW it will NOT be the same there! Geeeeeeeeeeeze

I've been there a bunch warren. I've researched it to death. I've bought property there. It took nearly one year to get my seawall/pier approval. The seawall construction took a long time. The pier construction is yet to start.

Point is I know island life is not US life. Why do you think I want to come there full time?

Like I said, good luck.

PS, got to go see a doctor now - damnit

Hang on to your dreams young man.....we all have them....the best way achieve your dreams is find another revenue generating profession and move to Belize......open a restaurant, be like a lot of the gringos get into the land business.....if you want the dream bad enough....what are you willing to give up to achieve it?

Good luck and best wishes!

I think the policy of not allowing foreign doctors practice in Belize is a poor one. Doctors aren't going to flood into the country and raise the medical costs, unless they get into a deal like the Universal scam, but that is an entire other thread for another day.
I am basing my opinion as a firefighter/EMT here in the states, that visits the island very often and has implimented a very good emergency response plan for my yearly skydive event.
I work very closely with Dr. Daniel at Ambergris Hope Medical Clinic. I donate supplies to them each year that I haul down on the jump plane. They struggle to keep up with the work. The island is bursting with children. One more pediatrician/OB/GYN doc on the island would be a good thing.
Island Ferry under Sterling and Cullen's direction have implimented an emergency response team. A good start, and I have donated to their cause also and will help out in any way possible.
During the skydive event we have our own doctors, nurses and paramedics with us. We have helped treat 3 heart attacks by other tourists in 4 years. The emergency medicine on the island needs to be brought up to a much higher standard. You can't just rely on the BATSUB helicopter or a local flight to save you. I have spoken with the Mayoress, The Minister of Tourism and the local response team about improving emergency medicine on the island. I would not want to be up at Belize Legacy Resort and have a serious medical issue.
RB(Lovey and Thurston), Algae, I respect your opinions, but I think it is time to let a hard working doctor from the US come down and help out. No one cares when Mark Johnson's dental group comes down for a week of dental care. And relaxing the rules a bit would only improve the quality of island living for EVERYONE.

(rant over, I'm still upset the Pens lost to the Wings last night)

BELIZE-N-US ....REAPER is right...keep making plans. You know you have to jump through hoops to make it happen and you know..like many others ..that when you are ready to move to AC you are going to be in demand and help out a lot of people!

Dear Reaper,

You bring some very good points,

You are right we do need a better emergency response unit and relying on BATSUB is not a long term solution. What we need is a hospital or a larger clinic with proper equiment to handle more of these emergencies.

At this moment in San Pedro there are over 12 doctors practicing on the island (most are actually not Belizean)

Marks group does a great clinic that provides a service for those who can not afford the dental care...they bring down a large amount of people to work and process a lot of patients. I am sure Mark does not charge for this service.

Reaper,

well said and I couldn't agree more. If anything they are going to go to Belize to implement something positive and well needed and likely raise prices of medical care! A doctor moving
to Belize is most likely not looking to move there to take business away from others and make millions. Doctors in Belize also always seemed overworked and busy.

Great point about the dental clinic Reaper. Well said.

purdygirl, my point about the dental care is it's OK for free, but don't charge a few dollars if you are from the US and based on the island full time as a dentist. Belize will take all of the free care but won't admit they need MUCH more medical service nationwide.

Many good thoughts on this thread. (This is lovey, not thurston this time!). Yes, Mark does some wonderful work here, but note is is here for a week. Many doctors and groups have been generous in donating supplies to the clinic and doctors on the island. I know all these groups are very grateful for the help. I think (sticking my neck out here!) one of the things all groups and physicians must be very mindful of: Show respect for the system and physicians and other medical personal in a third world country. We are not the last word in care and training, Cuba is a good example. In the 30 yrs. we have been in San Pedro, we have seen many improvements to health care and the addition of some very fine doctors. The community has worked hard to build the Polyclinic and of course we would all like to see more services provided. It will come , if everyone works together to achieve it.

Hi Lovey! You should put Thurston back to work getting the island medical system worked out! Don't tell him it's my idea though!