B.M.D.A President Says Increased Cost of Supplies are Passed on to Patients

Today, reporters got to speak with President of the Belize Medical and Dental Association, Doctor Perlita Aldana, who said that, from time to time, even the private sector has to depend on the public healthcare system when it runs out of supplies. She did say, however, that while it was difficult to source some of the supplies during the COVID pandemic, it is easier to access them now, though the prices of supplies have skyrocketed, and those costs are passed down to patients.

Perlita Aldana

Dr. Perlita Aldana, President, B.M.D.A.

“During the COVID, it was very difficult for all of us to get – the gloves, the masks, the P.P.Es – everything was really expensive, even in the private sector. I’m sure that things have gotten a little better but the prices are not the way they used to be. They are like double the price that it was before the pandemic.”

Reporter

“That’s passed on to the patient?”

Dr. Perlita Aldana

“Well of course, it has to be passed on to the patient because at the private sector, we cannot incur those expenses. And I do believe that what has to do with the doctors’ fees and so, I don’t – or at least I haven’t seen an increase in the consultation prices, even though the gas prices have escalated tremendously and a lot of our doctors travel to and fro, that has not increased. So I think that doctors are bearing a little bit of burden when it comes to these things.”