Ambergris Hope Hospital Now Offering NHI-Covered Diagnostic Services

Ambergris Hope Hospital is now offering selected services covered by the National Health Insurance (NHI) program, including radiology (imaging), ultrasound, and laboratory services for residents of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker. To access these services, patients must first obtain a referral from their NHI-registered healthcare provider. In San Pedro, these include San Carlos Medical Center and San Pedro Urgent Care. In Caye Caulker, the NHI-accredited medical facility is Dr. D’s Clinic.
Management at Ambergris Hope Hospital said the services under the NHI program have been available to the public since August 1st. They noted that radiology services are important in diagnosing illnesses and guiding treatment. The new partnership will allow residents to access these services on the island without having to travel to the mainland and incur additional expenses.
Once patients obtain a referral from their registered NHI primary care provider, they can contact Ambergris Hope Hospital directly to schedule an appointment. Patients are required to present a valid Social Security Card at the time of service.
Radiology services covered under the NHI program are available Monday through Friday from 8AM to 5PM and Saturdays from 8AM to 12 noon. The same schedule applies to laboratory services. The hospital’s on-site laboratory also offers patients the convenience of same-day results.
The NHI program began as a pilot project on the south side of Belize City in 2001 and has since expanded across the country. It was officially launched in San Pedro in July 2024, with San Carlos Medical Center and San Pedro Urgent Care joining the program. In October of that same year, NHI expanded to Caye Caulker, where Dr. D’s Clinic and Prescription Value Pharmacy officially joined the initiative.
Through the NHI program, patients can access subsidized preventative and primary healthcare services. These include eye care, disease diagnosis, management of chronic conditions such as hypertension, diabetes, asthma, and HIV/AIDS, treatment for other acute illnesses, and prescription medications.
Island residents who have not yet registered for the program can do so through an NHI healthcare provider in San Pedro or Caye Caulker. A Social Security Card is required when registering with an accredited healthcare institution to begin accessing services through the NHI program.