Police Officers Denied Free Medical Care at KHMH, Forced to Pay Upfront

Police officers are reportedly having trouble accessing free medical attention at public hospitals.  Love News learnt that in facilities like the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), Police are being demanded to pay their medical bills upfront despite the laws allowing them free care.  Police Commissioner Chester Williams appeared on The Morning Show yesterday where he indicated that they are trying to see how they can get medical officers assigned to the department.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “We’re also trying to see if we can take it to another level to not only have a counselor but also to have maybe one or two medical doctors who are going to be stationed in the same building where we currently have the counselor.”

Ernesto Vasquez, Host, The Morning Show: “That is in Belize City?”

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police: “Yes, in Belize City, because we have the masses of our police officers here. And so the medical doctor will be able to deal with police officers for minor issues. We currently have a situation where KHMH and the other public hospitals are giving the police officers problems to be able to see a doctor. They want the police to pay. Under the Police Act, it says that every police officer shall receive free medical care at any public hospital. But we’re seeing now that the hospital is charging the police. And I am saying to the police officers, they must not pay. The law is clear. It is something we’re trying to work out with the Ministry of Health to ensure that this ambiguity is removed because when the police officers do go to get treatment, they don’t want to give the police officers the sick form until the police officer pay. And we don’t think that is right. So it’s something we’re addressing. But again, to have our own medical doctor like the BDF do is something that we’re hoping that we can do eventually.”