Long waits to see any doctor at a public hospital are a fact of Belizean life. But it is a big deal when doctors say they won’t show up to treat waiting patients. That was the situation today at the K.H.M.H., Northern Regional Hospital and San Ignacio Hospital. Doctors in the city have joined forces […]
The nursing staff at the Northern Regional Hospital is so frustrated with their working conditions, they have threatened to take industrial action if things do not improve. At an emergency meeting called on Tuesday, the staff agreed that if officials from the Ministry of Health do not meet with them by Friday, they will be […]
“When the health sector is under-resourced, the quality of care suffers.” So said Health Minister Jose Coye in handing over obstetric and paediatric equipment to the staff of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital earlier this evening. In receiving the donation, medical chief of staff Dr. John Waight, said today’s presentation is part of a larger […]
The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital is once again under fire. In a front page article appearing in this week’s Amandala newspaper titled: “Public hospital doctors threaten to stop “non-essential services,” the newspaper quotes unnamed doctors as saying they are tired of practising under deplorable conditions. These include the unavailability of essential equipment and the resulting […]
“Live, Laugh, Learn”, is the theme of a public health fair which focuses on ways to improve our lives. Acting Director of the Women’s Department Christy Castillo, says the event is specifically designed for youths ages thirteen to twenty-seven. Christy Castillo, Acting Dir., Women’s Department “We’re having sessions and games and workshops that all surround […]
With the long anticipated National Health Insurance pilot project now underway, it remains to be seen whether the N.H.I. concept will prove workable in the Belizean context. This morning News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams made her rounds. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting Today we visited the four southside clinics to see how registration and health care services are […]
It seems like we’ve been waiting for years, but after numerous delays and a lot of spirited debate, the first phase of the controversial National Health Insurance scheme finally got off the ground today. Ann-Marie reports from the Matron Roberts Health Centre. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting The long awaited N.H.I. pilot project has been officially launched […]
For residents of the south side of the Belize District it’s been a long wait…and with only one more day to go until the National Health Insurance pilot project officially gets underway, a major health care facility has declared that it’s ready to go. Jacqueline Woods has the story. Jacqueline Woods, Reporting The Belize Medical […]
According to the latest census, there are approximately one hundred and twenty-four thousand females in Belize. Of that number it is not certain just how many women of child bearing age are at risk for HIV. But based on statistics collected by the Ministry of Health, it is believed that a significant number of pregnant […]
On Saturday one of the four health care providers under the southside N.H.I. pilot project was officially inaugurated. The Integral Health Clinic on the corner of Curasow and Gibnut Street was opened for inspection and guest of honour, Prime Minister Said Musa, used the opportunity to remind his audience that the best medicine is the […]
In an age when a stranger can tell your lifestyle by looking in your garbage, it’s a good idea to keep it locked away. That goes double for a hospital whose medical waste may pose a grave danger to a curious public. Today News Five was called out to the yard adjacent to the Central […]
The report of the three man commission of inquiry into the transmission of HIV infected blood to three patients at the K.H.M.H. was made public today. At a hastily called press conference, Minister of Health Jose Coye, although not involved in the commission’s work, noted the transparency of the process which attempted to explain what […]
The continuing debate over National Health Insurance may have been overshadowed this week by flying bullets, but as the southside pilot project prepares to get off the ground, many Belizeans are still waiting to be convinced that N.H.I. is the right medicine for Belize. This morning News 5’s Stewart Krohn asked Minister of Health Jose […]
The Cayo Chinese restaurant owner caught with a skinned pussy cat in his kitchen is tonight a free man. Reports from Cayo indicate that Li Chun Hua, proprietor of Lee’s Restaurant in San Ignacio, had no case to answer as it could not be established that the cat in question was in his possession. The […]
The saga of domestic animals on Belizean dinner plates this week moved from urban legend to real life health concern. News 5’s Jose Sanchez reports on the latest developments from Cayo. Jose Sanchez, Reporting Ever since the cat was let out of the bag, it has caused a lot of heartburn for Li Chun Hua. […]
You have heard the rumours for years, but not until today has such conclusive evidence been presented that domestic animals are being prepared for eating in Belizean restaurants. If you are fond of cats you may want to leave the room because the pictures we are about to show are not pretty. Just before two […]
In Belize the term “nine days wonder” has come to signify an effort that starts off with much fanfare but soon fades off into the oblivion of official inaction. Some recent examples are the crackdown on illegal bicycle riders and the enforcement of speed limits with the new radar gun. But one ongoing campaign that […]
The much touted N.H.I. pilot project, most recently scheduled to start on Monday, July second, has once again been put off. A Social Security Board press release stated that southside Belize District residents will be able to access primary care from four clinics. However, two of them, the Belize Family Life Association, on Central American […]
Part of the mission of the Methodist Church has always been to reach out to the wider community it serves. The first step in that outreach was realised this afternoon. Ann-Marie was on hand for the event. Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting A long time dream has come true for the Methodist community–the opening of the Wesley […]
If you look closely at virtually all of the imported foods sold in Belize– everything from corn flakes to hot dogs–you’ll see a combination of letters and numbers printed on the packaging. That sometimes obscure code is a date after which the manufacturer indicates that the product can no longer be guaranteed fresh and wholesome. […]
There is nothing new about people going to the United States for medical treatment, except that a recent excursion has revealed the possibility of a new and potentially fatal type of substance abuse in Belize. Mercury, also known as quicksilver, is an element usually used in thermometers, but a Belizean admitted to Cook County Hospital […]
If the thought of a long scar and months of healing time make you reluctant to take an operation, laproscopic surgery might be just the thing for you. The K.H.M.H. will soon be able to offer the public this latest surgical procedure, thanks to a donation of laproscopic equipment from a hospital in Pennsylvania. Dr. […]
While the airwaves may be full of catchy slogans telling us to “try N.H.I.”, the pilot public health programme is only now getting ready for implementation. According to Doctor Marcelo Coyi of Belize Medical Associates, they will soon be opening a clinic on Regent Street for residents of the city’s southside. Coyi spoke to News […]
For Joy Charley, supervisor of the Belize Blood Donor Service, life since the transfusion tragedy has been anything but dull. We asked her how the highly publicised incident has effected donations at the blood bank. Joy Charley, Supervisor, Blood Bank “We don’t really have a shortage, but since all this publicity that has happened with […]
Crucial testimony was given as the Commission of Inquiry into the use of AIDS tainted blood at the K.H.M.H. entered its third day. Ann-Marie Williams reports from the scene at St. John’s Credit Union in Belize City. Ann-Marie Williams “As days go by the testimonies become more intense. That was evident this morning when phlebotomist […]
