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Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Over $700,000 has been allocated from the Petrocaribe funds to start the 24-hour medical service to the island's only public health facility - The Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II. The use of the funds were approved by the Prime Minister months ago but have been sitting in the government coffers ever since. Minister of Health Honorable Pablo Marin confirmed that the expansion of service will come into effect by the end of December, but has given December 15th as the targeted date. The Ministry of Health is speeding up the effort to put in place the mechanism to get the 24-hour service rolling.

According to Marin, all the necessary steps have been taken to ensure the sustainability of the service for the long term. When asked what the delay in the decision was, since the monies were allocated months ago and he had promised that the service was to start in by September, Marin said, "The funds are now in place for us to employ the workers for the 24-hours service. It was not about disbursing the monies that was the delay, but the actual hiring of doctors and nurses who are willing to come to the island. In the past, when we sent doctors to the island, after being here, they realized it is expensive to live there and so they would move off the island. We had to work around that to get doctors to come," explained Marin.

In addition to the current staff, the Ministry will now hire additional staff to allow uninterrupted medical services on the island. The auxiliary staff will be hired from the island, but the professional workers such as doctors and nurses will be hired from mainland Belize. The Minister of Health also indicated that while the facility will be opened for 24 hours, the next step is to find a place and funding to convert the service from a clinic to a full-fledged hospital on the island.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: Oct 1999
Posts: 84,397
Marty Offline OP
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Heredia announces that a loan application for the island's hospital is finalized

The issue of Ambergris Caye being long overdue for a community hospital has been at the forefront of many heated discussions. On Wednesday January 14th, during a local show, Honorable Manuel Heredia Jr., Belize Rural South Area Representative announced that the government is moving one step closer to addressing the health needs of the island. Heredia stated the Government of Belize (GOB) has completed the loan application process that, if funding is approved, will go towards the construction of a hospital on the island.

According to Heredia the hospital will not be on the same grounds as the current Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II. "If I am not mistaken, we sent a proposal in which we identified more or less, where we can acquire a piece of property which is about five acres in size." The property Heredia is referring to is the same parcel of land that was identified some three years ago by the former Mayor of San Pedro Elsa Paz. The land is across from The Sun and Sand Cross Fit (The old Tennis Club) and while it is privately owned, Heredia hopes GOB can acquire it.

Click here to read the rest of the article and see more photos in the San Pedro Sun


Joined: Oct 1999
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Marty Offline OP
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Click photos for more pictures!

Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II officially expanding their services and will now be open for 24 hours.


Joined: Oct 2004
Posts: 3,888
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Is there any info on who will staff this 24 hours per day? Local doctors and nurses?

Joined: May 2000
Posts: 7,050
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Yes. There will be doctors and nurses 24/7. I know Dr. Renae Sersland will be there.

Joined: Aug 2010
Posts: 24
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The scariest thought for me is transporting a person in critical condition to the clinic by a golf cart!! or worse yet, waiting for a taxi

Joined: Dec 2009
Posts: 111
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For what it's worth...studies in the US have shown that "scoop and run" meaning don't wait for transportation via ambulance or taxi results in better outcomes in emergency situations. Transport the victim by whatever means to the nearest medical facility namely ... this one.

Joined: Nov 2000
Posts: 5,563
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Why don't the Belize politicians realize that doctors from other countries could/would be very interested and willing to come here if only the work permit issues were changed. Why not encourage experienced doctors who may want to work only part time to come and enjoy living here and being of service at the same time. A staff of a lot of GOOD doctors would be better than a few who say they can't afford to live here and go back to mainland Belize.
Cuba has always had great docs who seem to be real humanitarians.
PLEASE people - think outside your little box!


Harriette
Take only pictures leave only bubbles
Joined: Jun 2008
Posts: 2,000
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Yesterday I saw a pickup truck on Front Street in San Pedro that has been converted to an ambulance. It had the word Ambulance painted on it. Does anyone know to whom this belongs to and what is the contact information? I know Dr. Dan was trying to get a service in operation but I haven't heard anything on that for quite some time.

This might be good information to have out there.


Jim
Formerly from somewhere on a beach in Belize
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 77
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This belongs to a man named Alex whom was a EMT in the USA, came here to attend The Medical school. He volunteers at the Poly Clinic.
Been seen transporting people to the clinic.
He is looking for more volunteers sort of the the fire dept when it first started here.
He has a huge heart for the community and wants to do good....

Last edited by NJG; 02/05/15 05:28 AM.
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