Critically Wounded PC Transported from K.H.M.H. to Medical Associates for CT-Scan

We heard Commissioner of Police Chester Williams share that the police department would consult with Doctor Pedro Arriaga on whether it would be possible to transport PC Lorray Arzu to the Belize Medical Associates where she’d receive better round-the-clock care.  Williams said that a doctor at the K.H.M.H. who performed a brain surgery on the young officer advised against moving her because it would be risky.  But internist at the Belize Medical Associates, Doctor Fernando Cuellar revealed on Open Your Eyes today that Arzu had to be taken to Medical Associates last night for a CT-scan because the K.H.M.H. still has none. Cuellar implored the government and anyone who would help, to see to it that the public health sector has a CT-scan for the sake of people who cannot afford to pay for the service at private hospitals. Aside from that reality, Cuellar said that it is also risky for patients at the K.H.M.H. who can afford to pay for it and must be transferred to another private hospital to get the exam done.

Fernando Cuellar

Dr. Fernando Cuellar, Internist, Belize Medical Associates

“Mek wi got a CT-scan for the country of Belize please, the public sector? We don’t have a CT-scan machine. It costs one point five million Belize dollars. Now I nuh di talk bout Karl Heusner (Memorial Hospital). Ah di talk bout the Ministry of Health nuh have a CT-scan. It’s disgraceful! And ah di call out everybody from the two sides: dehn one weh di head-butt pahn one side and the other ones dehn weh di prance bout the place. We need the Prime Minister, we need the Minister of Health, we need the C.E.O.s. Wa lady get shot eena ih head yesterday, one police officer and dehn have to move ah. Weh dehn move ah to – Medical Associates. I shudda di shet mi mouth because we mek money offa that. But it’s endangering care. It’s lessening the level of care and I have to say that. And I sure the board chairman wa come and the C.E.O. wa come and the minister wa got wa nice lee story fi tell yoh, but the truth of the matter today, Thursday, October thirteenth, 2022: wi nuh have wa CT-scan eena the country of Belize for the public sector. Da bout eighty percent ah people can’t afford it outta pocket. And it’s so – I want bruk eena tears last night when I see dehn di bring this lady.”