Government Moves Closer to Establishing Belize’s First Teaching Hospital in Belmopan

The Government of Belize is one step closer to opening a teaching hospital in the country. Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard confirmed this week that six million dollars has been earmarked for the purchase of the land in Belmopan, where the facility will be constructed. It is a change in the original plans of having the hospital built on the UB campus which would have saved the government from having to acquire land for the facility.  Minister Bernard spoke on this change and its logic.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: “Well I think it’s very important. We’ve been talking about this as you know that will really complement the plan that we have for the Western Regional new tertiary hospital because it’s going to be a teaching hospital so it will complement the work that the University of Belize is doing. I must commend the dean and Dr.Johnson who is the lead person at the University of Belize that is leading the project for the foresight, for the vision of wanting to see that the our university can have this type of level of education available for our Belizean people and for those who come to take advantage of it. And there mere fact that they were able to partner with another institution to get the accreditation shows that the institution who is now willing to accredit the University of Belize has the confidence that we are doing something right in this country. This is something that our health professionals, our future medical professionals have been waiting for. Many a times we have to find our people going to other places when we could as well do this right here in our country. So I really appreciate what they’re doing and so like I said it’s a great step, a great achievement and one I know it will yield many successes and that way we can then start to reduce the gap that we have in terms of our lack of medical doctors within the country and at the same time government can benefit because the public facilities can then start to have the better quality specialization within country. So it’s a win win situation with what is happening at UB and with all the other work that we’re doing as a government in terms of healthcare.”

Meanwhile, the United Democratic Party (UDP) is less than thrilled at the announcement, alleging corruption in the land acquisition. Earlier today the UDP issued a statement, alleging that the money is going to a crony of the People’s United Party. The opposition also says that greater focus should have been made in equipping current medical facilities with necessary equipment and supplies.