Groundbreaking held for Caye Caulker Health Centre

The Ministry of Health and Wellness broke ground on the island of Caye Caulker for a one-point-four million-dollar health centre.  The long-anticipated health centre will be equipped will the full amenities of a pharmacy, triage room, treatment room, fifteen beds and other features. A health centre on the island will alleviate the challenges that the community faces with having to transport patients to the mainland at all hours of day and night, by sea and air, in emergency cases. News Five’s Paul Lopez was there for the groundbreaking ceremony. He files the following report.

Seleny Villanueva-Pott, Chairlady, Caye Caulker Village Council

“It impact us the most, the island residents. We are very, very grateful for this opportunity and to see it become a reality. We have been hearing about it, but having this ceremony makes us aware that we are only days away from seeing this become a reality. In my speech I shared some encounters of what it is like when we have the transfer patients via boat is heartwarming. To know that the entire community from all ages will benefit from this is beyond exciting.”

John Briceño

Paul Lopez, Reporting

Present at today’s ceremony was Prime Minister John Briceño and Minister of Health and Wellness Michel Chebat.

Prime Minister John Briceño

“It is certainly a wonderful time for us and I am excited about finally being able to look at the residents and say ok we will start the building of the clinic. As we mentioned earlier, we were almost at the point of losing that money. But we want to thank the village council who quickly thought on their feet and said that they can use a portion of this area that had been designated for a sports center.”

Michel Chebat

Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness

“Our Government is committed to providing the best possible health care to all of our citizens. And, here in Caye Caulker there is a long standing need for a health center that the residents can come out and get the proper services they need for hypertension, diabetes, emergency services. We want to stop the necessity to have to transport patients to Belize City. So we are bringing the health care services to the residents and community of Caye Caulker.”

Construction of the health center is set to begin in two weeks and is expected to be completed over the course of the next twelve months. The funding for the health center is coming by way of a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank, through the Social Investment Fund.

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

“I believe the community will be better prepared. We will not have to have transfers as such. We will not have to transfer patients at night time, because that is our main concern, not only for persons being transferred, but also for safety reasons. We are so use to boating it at night with patients. But with the services being here, it is comforting.”

Paul Lopez

“What will you do to ensure that this project does not end here, but that it actually comes to pass?”

Seleny Villanueva-Pott

“Good question. I have already asked the project coordinator when construction is set to begin. He said in two weeks. If two weeks is here and there is nothing, I will be on him.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

The contractor for the project is Julio Magaña of Triple E Construction