Saturday, September 4, 2015. BMG: It is time for a new hospital for the not-so-new capital of Belize, according to the Ministry of Health.
Newly-appointed Director of Health Services in the Ministry succeeding Michael Pitts, Dr. Ramon Figueroa, says the Western Regional Hospital, which was previously the Belmopan Hospital but now serves all of Cayo District, told News 5 that an evaluation from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) recommended a completely new hospital.
The WRH, established several decades ago, suffers from leakage, inefficient electricity, poor drainage, and a recent rodent infestation.
Concerning the recent biting of a baby by a rat in an incubator, Dr. Figueroa said the infant was doing well after supervision and laboratory tests for the presence of infectious diseases.
Dr. Figueroa said it would be “premature” to discuss legal liability but said officials have spoken to the child’s family to allay their fears.
There is a community hospital in San Ignacio replacing the old hospital that is now abandoned in town; in addition to the Southern and Northern Regional Hospitals in Orange Walk and Dangriga Towns and the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, there are community hospitals in Corozal and Punta Gorda and polyclinics in San Pedro and Belize City, and health outposts in major villages.