P.U.P. Says Gov’t Knew and Did Nothing

How much did the Government know about the situation with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, and how much of its current state could have been prevented? These are the questions being asked by the Opposition People’s United Party tonight. This afternoon, John Briceño told reporters that the K.H.M.H. would have been a fit and proper place to have spent some of the Petrocaribe funds for repairs; instead, Belizeans will have to access more costly private entities for specialized care.

John Briceño, P.U.P. Leader

“The number one health institution of this country, probably the only hospital that provides what they call tertiary services in the country has been neglected. They could have used that [Petrocaribe] money from way back then and addressed it earlier on. I think what has made it worse is that over the last year or two I think there have been earthquakes in the region that have shaken lots of buildings in Belize, and the earthquake with the shaking made it worse, that the cracks are showing more and the plaster is breaking off. So yes, it’s a structural problem; but the U.D.P. Government fully knew the problem and they refused to address it earlier. And now we have this emergency where certain services are not being offered to Belizeans. And if you don’t have money, what can you do? You can’t go to [Belize Healthcare Partners]; you can’t go to [Belize] Medical Associates; you have to go to Karl Heusner, and now you can’t get those services. So we hold the Government accountable for that.”

As we said, Mexican engineers are expected in the next few days to assess the damaged roof and pillars.