UDP Slams Government for ‘Systematic Failure’ in Healthcare Sector

The United Democratic Party (UDP) is criticizing the government for what it describes as a “systematic failure” to improve the country’s healthcare system. In today’s press conference, the opposition called on the government to take accountability for the state of Belize’s healthcare system, which it argues is in shambles. The party claims that despite promises to enhance public health services, the current administration has fallen short in addressing the pressing needs of the nation’s hospitals, clinics, and healthcare workers. UDP’s Shadow Minister of Health, Carlos Perera, spoke on what he says are key areas the government has failed to address in the healthcare sector, particularly in mental health. 

Carlos Perera, UDP Shadow Minister of Health: “Where is the mobile clinics ? We heard the Minister of Health brag about mobile clinics across the country. Where is the mental health programs ? How many of us get up every morning taking our kids to school and we see Belizeans literally half dressed, exposing themselves, walking in the streets. Where are the mental health programs to help assist these people ? What investment in human capital have they done ? They spoke about investing in the doctors and nurses, where is that investment come from ? Have they done anything ? It is the opposite. Our nurses, our doctors are leaving our country. Where are they addressing medical malpractice issues ? I’m not hitting our physicians and our doctors but it is a truth. There are many Belizeans who are paying thousands and thousands in the private sector because they already cannot get the basic services in the public sector so they go and sell their homes, they sell their vehicles, the go and borrow thousands of dollars from the bank to go and pay a bill at Healthcare Partners to go and pay a bill at Belize Medical Associates only to find out there are cases in these private institutions, I’m not calling it is those institutions I’m saying it’s across private institutions, malpractice. Where is the Ministry addressing these issues ? Where are you Kevin Bernard ?”

According to Perera, the UDP has discussed policies it believes can overhaul the country’s healthcare sector.