Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize Tours San Pedro Hospital Project

The Republic of China (Taiwan)’s new Ambassador to Belize, Amino C.Y. Chi, was on Ambergris Caye today. He was hosted by Belize Rural South Area Representative Andre Perez as part of a visit to get a closer look at projects being supported by Taiwan.  Perez said the San Pedro and Caye Caulker General Hospital was at the top of the Ambassador’s list. The facility is one of Taiwan’s largest investments in Belize and has been a long-awaited project for residents of the islands.  Perez provided an update on the construction timeline and when the Government now expects the facility to be ready.

Andre Perez, BRS Area Representative: “His visit is for several reasons, but the main important reason is he is here to visit that he is very keenly interested in the development of the hospital that we are doing here in San Pedro.”

Reporter: What’s the progress of that hospital? 

Andre Perez, BRS Area Representative: “Yes, of course, along with Ambassador and the tour, we were given a tour of the hospital this morning and I’m pleased to report that we are almost 70% completion. If all goes well and continues in the track we’re going somewhere around between the the ending of April, beginning of May or mid-May, we should be having a full-fledged hospital for Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker.”

Reporter: And this is funded by the Taiwan Embassy? 

Andre Perez, BRS Area Representative: “Absolutely. That is one of those major grants that our friends from Taiwan have donated and it’s something special, historic for our community. When I say community, I’m talking about San Pedro and Caye Caulker. The largest next to the KHMH hospital in the entire country. That is what we, the experts are telling us. So obviously by the end of May I am told by the technical experts from the Ministry of Health that that is going to be somewhere between 250 to 275 fully permanent people working. We’re talking about doctors, nurses, pharmaceuticals, technicians, everything. So it is going to be a massive operation. We’re very excited. I’m excited.”

The hospital is being built with a grant of approximately 33 million Belize dollars from the Government of Taiwan. Ground was broken in February 2024, and when completed, it is expected to become Belize’s second-largest hospital and only its second tertiary-level health facility.  The hospital will serve residents of both Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker, reducing the number of patients who must travel to the mainland for treatment. Plans include emergency care, surgery, maternity services, laboratory and diagnostic services, along with inpatient and outpatient care./