KHMH marks 9th Anniversary
It’s been less than a decade since the relocation of the country’s major medical facility to its new location in King’s Park, but it seems like a century ago that patients were treated at the old Belize City Hospital on Eve Street. Part of the reason is that in its short existence the KHMH has experienced a lifetime of turmoil and controversy. Today, with the institution appearing to be on a sounder footing, the administration took time out to observe its birthday.
Patrick Jones, Reporting
Nine years after the old Belize City hospital moved into new facilities on Princess Margaret drive, the staff and management today invited the general public to celebrate the rebirth of the institution. Chief Executive Officer Alvaro Rosado says KHMH has come a long way over the years.
Dr. Alvara Rosado, CEO, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital
?KHMH has jumped back from many threats, attacks of privatization, shutting down, hurricane blowing the building, and that sort of thing. We are celebrating that. Celebrating the fact also that we feel that we are strong enough to continue for the long run.?
But while he looks to the future with optimism, Rosado says much work remains to be done. One key to success has been that professionals are allowed to carry out their duties without outside interference.
Dr. Alvara Rosado
?Well I think what has changed, at least since my entry into the picture is that the Government of Belize has recognized the need for this facility and has invested heavily. Lots of monies have been pumped into the physical plan, which was a disaster when I came here. We have also invested in resources, human resources. But I think the greatest strength that we have is the fact that we have a board that has empowered the management of this hospital to work without restrictions and hindrance.?
In addition to the regular hospital services, new areas of practice have been added to the KHMH?s resume, including neurosurgery, urology, cardiology, physiotherapy and specialty clinics.
One improved service is offered at the neonatal intensive care unit, which provides critical care for the nation?s youngest citizens. When it comes to patient care, Nurse Lidia Blake says the work of the anaesthetists is among the most important in the treatment chain.
Nurse Lidia Blake, Anaesthesia Department
?Before the doctor or the surgeon can do his incision, whether the patient has a gunshot, stab wound or whatever we have to be the first ones to go put down the patient to sleep; have a secure airway. If it has not been secured at the emergency department we are called upon if they need any help. We go out there assist them, or we prepare the operating theatre patient comes in, we put them to sleep either with the tube or spinal anaesthesia, whatever, and then the doctor or the surgeon can continue the next phase of the treatment at Karl Heusner.?
And at some point on the journey through the K.H.M.H. the patient will end up here, for a chat with Trevalee Ciego, or one of the other pharmacists.
Trevalee Ciego, Pharmacist
?The importance of the pharmacy, here we get the in-house prescriptions, we evaluate the prescription for medication, make sure there is no side-effects and they are not interacting with each other. Then we dispense the medication, inform the patients about the medication, what they are taking it for and if there is going to be any side effects and so on.?
Ciego says there is enough medication at the pharmacy to meet patient demand. And in some cases, the pharmacists are prepared to manufacture prescriptions for special cases. Rosado says despite occasional bad press, the doctors and nurses remain committed to the Hippocratic Oath.
Dr. Alvara Rosado
?I think that a lot of confidence was lost. In fact I?m not sure that anybody had any confidence in K.H.M.H. a while back. I must say that that, from all the comments that I hear that has been reversed. We very rarely hear negative things about K.H.M.H. and it?s understandable that if there are positive things to say, people don?t necessarily shout it out on the mountain. But I think that is a poll was done, we would come out certainly on the positive side of that poll.?
Patrick Jones, for News Five.
At this morning’s opening ceremony, the management of KHMH recognized a number of staff members for their long service to the community.
