P.U.P. announces National Health Plan
The third edition of the People’s Assembly was convened Tuesday night in the border town of Benque Viejo del Carmen. And not even a heavy downpour was enough to dampen the resolve of the hundreds of party faithfuls who crammed Coronation Park for the event. Party Leader Said Musa outlined the P.U.P.’s National Health Plan, going into the General Elections.
Said Musa, Leader, P.U.P.
“The medical services offered by the hospitals are at a substandard level. There is lack of proper emergency services. Only the minimal surgical services are available. There is a persistent shortage of medication and medical supplies. No wonder the medical staff is always frustrated and demoralized. Many Belizeans have lost confidence in our health system and increasing numbers of citizens seek basic health care outside of Belize. This is a shameful and unacceptable drain on our limited resources.
The People’s United Party is committed to the fundamental principle of health conditions and services. As a matter of urgency, we will radically transform Belize’s health system to ensure equitable access to quality health services. A management system will therefore be put in place that will ensure fairness and efficiency and that will take into account the practices of doctors working in both the public and private sectors. The Ministry’s new focus will be the making and monitoring of health policy, increasing access to quality health care and reviewing the emphasis on primary health care. To restore public confidence and trust we will ensure that there is an adequate supply of drugs. We propose a competitive and transparent tendering process for the purchase of medicine, medical and health supplies.
The existing social security system provides limited medical benefits, mostly for job related injuries. The role of the social security system will be expanded to increase its contributions with the establishment of a national health insurance program.
The next P.U.P. Government will: work to satisfy the basic human needs for a healthy Belizean – job, food, land, shelter, education, clean water and a safe environment, complete and modernize all district hospitals and health centers while opening rural health posts, train at least one community health nurse in every village of Belize.
The P.U.P. proposes to place the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital under an independent management board. This board will be a non-political, non-profit board embarking on hospital reform through better management, appropriate use of resources as well as other changes that are necessary for the effective delivery of medical services. The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is ours and must never again be run from Belmopan.
The People’s United Party is committed to healing Belize’s health system. We recognize that good health is a basic human right and a fundamental part of the development process. Health depends to a large extent on social and economic programs: jobs, the equitable distribution of land, a safe environment, food, education, housing, recreational facilities, access to capital, clean water, communication and technology.”
Party officials say the next People’s Assembly is tentatively scheduled for May fifth in San Pedro Town.
