MOHW Removes Fees Charged at Public Hospitals

This week, Cabinet approved the removal of all fees charged in public hospitals. A cabinet release says that this will ensure universal access to quality healthcare by eliminating financial barriers. The release further states that removal of the fees will enhance healthcare accessibility for all citizens, especially the most vulnerable. The new regulations took effect on Tuesday and cover all public health facilities with the exception of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Today, Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard explained that he has met with multiple individuals who are battling ailments but refuse to visit a public hospital because they lack the necessary finances. He noted that the decision will have a positive rippling effect on Belize’s healthcare system.

Kevin Bernard

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“Let me also, while I respond to this question, state how long we have been thinking about this proposal. It has been a year and a half, right after I became the Minister of Health and Wellness and my team, I formed my directors and we started to look at accessibility and services and we studied the trends of persons not accessing health services with the possibility of NHI rolling out and all of those things. We felt that it was high time that we remove a barrier to health services, especially to the vulnerable in our society, the people that can’t afford it as well. As an area rep I visit many of our communities especially in my rural communities where we see people sometimes, you go to them, they are home sick and don’t go to the hospital, why because they feel they don’t have the money to pay for a basic service, a basic x-ray or blood works and because of that sometimes they are reluctant to go to the hospital. This opens an avenue to create universal access to healthcare. This morning as we are doing the vital statistics clinic here in orange walk at the People’s Stadium here the next two days, a lot of persons have late registrations. I asked why it that you did not register your child is. The first response was because I owe hospital bill. Now you can go to the hospital, have your child, there will be no maternity fees. So you can go quickly get your proof of birth and register. It has a rippling effect and positive effect on Belizean society.”