Minister: No plan to privatise K.H.M.H.
Anyone who’s had to go to a private clinic recently can tell you that maintaining one’s health can cost an arm and a leg. That’s why rumours that the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, one of the cheapest sources of medical care in Belize, was on the selling block were greeted with such panic. Panic that forced the Ministry of Health to hold a press conference this morning to set the record straight.
Jose Coye, Minister of Health
“To the best of my knowledge, and I have spoken to the Prime Minister…I was out, I haven’t read the paper really, I was out and I got the news when I got back yesterday. I called the Prime Minister this morning and he said there is no such truth. I am not aware of it, so I took it wasn’t true either.”
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
Minister of Health, Jose Coye, responding to recent reports that Belize’s flagship hospital, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, is up for sale.
An article in the Guardian newspaper dated August thirty-first contends that negotiations are underway between the Government of Belize and the owners of the Universal Health Medical Arts Complex for a buyout of the institution. But Coye maintains that, as far as HE is aware, there are no plans for his Ministry to privatise the K.H.M.H.
Jose Coye, Minister of Health
“If there is anybody in the government, which I am not aware, but if there is any who is contemplating the sale of Karl Heusner, I am saying, think seriously, think seriously. The sale of Karl Heusner will not be the sale of another public institution.”
“You are dealing with the health of this country and this is not about a service that lends itself so easily in a market place where you can compete for, and where you can breed that efficiency through competition. This is different, this is about the health of this country and it’s different.”
So where did the rumour come from? According to the Minister, private investors had expressed an interest in purchasing the hospital, but G.O.B. made no decision in the matter and he is not aware that the government is even contemplating such a move.
Jose Coye
“If you can come tomorrow and show how we can in fact improve the health service in this country in the most affordable, in the most cost effective, in the most efficient way, and to bring us that universal access, of course, bring it forward. But it’s not to just hastily talk about divesting of a public asset.”
…Sentiments shared today by the medical staff of the K.H.M.H., who stated their direct opposition to any plans which involve selling the hospital, and maintains that they are prepared to use any and all resources at hand to prevent privatisation.
According to Matron Ivorine Hemmans, the main concern is that if the public hospital is sold, then the very people the institution is designed to assist will no longer be able to afford the services.
Ivorine Hemmans, Matron, K.H.M.H.
“I am very, very worried about the talk of privatisation; it just cannot happen. The cultural trend where we see people are driven by economics, our people who cannot pay, the indigent, and those are masses, they are the ones that will suffer.”
Jose Coye
“The government has an obligation, ever state, civilised state, has an obligation to ensure that all it’s people can access health and education. That’s the commitment we all have. I fully support you indeed… I would just advise, do not be worried, let us stand together to ensure indeed that this hospital produce its best. Let it continue the pattern it is going in and let us keep it for the people.”
But there is no denying that the Ministry of Health needs all the help it can get…which may be why the Minister is forced to admit that he is prepared to debate and discuss any proposals to improve medical facilities which may be brought forward…in the interest of the people. Jacqueline Woods for News 5.
According to a financial report provided by Chief Executive Officer of the K.H.M.H., Dr. Alvaro Rosado, for every dollar collected by the hospital, one dollar and seventy-four cents is provided in service to the public. An equation which Rosado contends, proves that the K.H.M.H. is providing, “excellent value for money”.
