K.H.M.H. staff prepares for busy weekend
Those Belizeans who will be working over the next four days -particularly in the medical field – will face a double burden. Not only are they deprived of a long holiday at a nice time of year, but invariably, with so many people on the move, serious accidents are inevitable. Today I found out that the nation’s largest hospital is ready for the worst.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
Law enforcement officers will not be the only ones working over the long Easter Holiday as health officials are also prepared themselves to handle whatever medical emergencies may arise. The country’s largest institution, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, has put into effect its own plan of action.
Gary Ayuso, Public Relations Officer, K.H.M.H.
“We are a secondary health care institution and we offer some tertiary care and you know that type of health care is continuous meaning twenty-four hours and we have our full staff of doctors and nurses available.”
Dr. Fidel Cuellar is one of the physicians who will be making rounds at the Accident and Emergency Unit. Because many people will be out enjoying themselves, Cuellar and his team have been preparing for all kinds of cases.
Dr. Fidel Cuellar, Doctor, Accident/Emergency, K.H.M.H.
“The staff usually braces down for Easter weekend. We know it is going to be a lot of work, mostly trauma, road traffic accidents, cases related to drinking, some violence but we are mostly here because of families. A lot of times you have drowning accidents, you have kids that are involved. You know people really do not have any thing, no fault of their own, just simply accidents and if there is nobody here looking out for them, then they won’t have a good time.”
The medical team which often works under challenging conditions remains committed and ready to do what it takes to get the job done.
One of the busiest days for the hospital staff is Holy Saturday especially following the Cross Country Cycling Classic.
Donovan Cacho, Staff Nurse, K.H.M.H.
“It is not anything that we put first to enjoy ourselves. I mean we are going to have our fun here as well.”
For Nurse Donovan Cacho knows it’s his duty to deliver care to the sick even if that means working on any given holiday.
Jacqueline Godwin
“Donovan what is it like for you guys knowing that you won’t have the time off to enjoy the Easter Holiday?”
Donovan Cacho
“To us it is like everyday work. We are here for the public. We do what we do best. Our full staff will be here working hard you know. To us it is something natural.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“Did you work here for the last Easter holiday?”
Donovan Cacho
“Yes, I worked here but that was at the Intensive Care Unit.”
Jacqueline Godwin
“What was that like?”
Donovan Cacho
“Wow, that was a lot of work, a lot of work but we love the work as well.”
According to K.H.M.H. security supervisor Leston Palmerston his staff is also prepared to ensure the safety of all.
Leston Palmerston, Supervisor, K.H.M.H. Security
“I do not feel anyway about it because I am already use to it because it is not my first Easter working here and we get use to it eventually but it comes in like knowledge. We here to serve the public whenever or however; whether it is holiday or it’s a public and bank, it’s an ordinary day.”
K.H.M.H. will be complemented by other essential services like The Belize Emergency Response Team, BERT, that will also be on twenty-four call to respond to any emergencies that require the sue of an ambulance over the next four days.
Dr. Fidel Cuellar
“We have a full staff, we have reinforcements, we have people on call so we can deal with anything from major accidents to the everyday minor things. As specialist everything is running all the time.”
Despite the preparations being made to handle whatever may come, viewers are urged to hold down the drinking and drive your cars and boats with extreme caution. We don’t want to see you on Tuesday’s police report.
