CASHU’s Community Clinic for Belize Rural Villagers

A community health clinic was inaugurated today to provide free medical services primarily to communities in the Belize district. The facility is located at the Boom cut-off on the Philip Goldson Highway and is an initiative by the Belize Medical College. Current and former area reps turned up for the ceremony. News Five’s Jose Sanchez reports.

Jose Sanchez, Reporting

Today’s ribbon cutting at the Belize Medical College, a campus of the Central America Health Sciences University, is the installation of a community health center. The ribbon was cut by a current and a former area representative. Michael Hutchinson explained to the students why the center was needed.

Michael Hutchinson

Michael Hutchinson, Former Area Representative

“It is a wonderful idea for this university to open its doors to the people of Belize Rural North and Belize Rural Central. When you would have folks journeying from Bomba and Maskall coming to the Ladyville Health Clinic and then you have Ladyville which is a very large community, which consists of Lord’s bank, another large community; and that place is over-run by people wanting to see the doctors. And at times patients become impatient. And they leave with their sickness and what is troubling them and they say they will come another day and for some they don’t live to see another day. And so this is the reason why a healthcare facility in this area is important. So for that I would like to give the staff here and those who have put this thing together a big round of applause.”

Murali Rudraraju

Dr. Murali Rudraraju, Director Special Projects, Belize Medical College

“As we move forward, this community clinic is going to grow and services will be available in a more adequate fashion even equipment; some of the equipment si right now there and it is going to develop as we move forward. And also it is going to benefit our students. Doctors have also pledged their not only teaching but they are also giving part of their service—and these doctors are all registered doctors who are practicing in Belize. So we definitely welcome all the people from the entire rural. And basically we want to serve the rural people because a lot of our students also play cricket in the rural areas. So we definitely are looking forward in having this move to greater heights.”

According the Area Representative for Belize Rural North, Edmund ‘Clear the Land’ Castro, the clinic will service several communities.

Edmund ‘Clear the Land’ Castro

Edmund ‘Clear the Land’ Castro, Area Rep., Rural North

“I know this heath center will serve the community in Ladyville, Lord’s bank, Japan, Burrell Boom, Sand Hill, Gardenia, Biscayne, the Old Road. This health center is a special one for us in the sense that any day of the week that you feel sick or your children feel ill, you will be able to come to this health center which is the community health center and we guarantee you that the doctor will be on staff here willing and able with a smiling face to assist you with your child, or you with your elderly folks or your parents or your children. so we are glad and happy for that.”

Dr. Maurice Modavi, Executive Dean, Belize Medical College

“There is a large community around this area including Sand Hill, Boom and Ladyville that has not been a community to service the population so this was a necessity and there was need for it. The University provided the space at no cost; the professors who are teaching will provide some of their time and it is a non-profit organization or institution.”

Doctor Maruice Modavi, the school’s Dean, says sponsors of companies like Brodies and the goodwill of the institution will make the services free.

Dr. Maurice Modavi

Maurice Modavi

“The funding is broken down into the accommodation, the space, the labor and physician costs. Physicians are donating part of their time; the university is donating the space and the utilities. Students will be donating their time for the footwork for the activity and we will solicit funds from pharmaceuticals and other organizations to grow.  This is open to anyone in the public; anyone in the community.”

Reporting for News Five, Jose Sanchez.