Friday, March 29, 2024

Health

Island Emergency Services is now offering free services tO Belizeans

The management and team of Island Emergency Services (IES) has announced that its ambulance services are now free of charge for Belizeans on the island. IES is a private 24-hour emergency company funded by Mr. Abner Bacab, and it is equipped with ambulances to respond to medical emergencies on the island. This decision comes from IES’ commitment to the well-being, health, and wellness of all local community members and providing professional, pre-hospital care for those in need.

Washington University of Health and Science hosts Medical Fair in San Pedro

A team from the Washington University of Health and Science (WUHS) provided free medical health screenings at the San Pedro Central Park on Saturday, March 16th. Fair organizers partnered with the Belize Diabetes Association and the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, offering residents complimentary medical services such as diabetes screening, blood pressure, Malaria testing, HIV testing, and Body Mass Index. Emergency response services were also available throughout the event.

San Pedro Community Blood Drive team collects 17 pints

On Saturday, March 16th, a blood drive was held at the Washington University of Health and Science (WUHS) facilities, located south of downtown San Pedro. The San Pedro Community Blood Drive team organized the event and received a very positive response. Seventeen pints were collected, benefiting the island community and the country.

A wave of Flu infections affecting San Pedro residents

San Pedro Town has been experiencing a wave of acute respiratory infections, which are suspected to be the flu. Speculated to be the COVID-19 virus, reports from the Public Health Inspector's office at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II suggest that most cases are due to the common seasonal flu. As a precaution, the public is encouraged to wash their hands frequently and wear face masks, particularly in crowded places.

National Health Insurance coming to San Pedro in July

Belize's National Health Insurance Program (NHI) is set to roll out in San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker Village in July of this year. Established in 2000 through an amendment to the Social Security Act, the integral healthcare program is slowly being implemented nationwide. The announcement that the NHI will soon be available to island residents was made during the ground-breaking ceremony of the San Pedro and Caye Caulker General Hospital on Friday, March 1st.

Construction of the San Pedro and Caye Caulker General Hospital commences with a groundbreaking ceremony

Residents and visitors of Ambergris Caye and Caye Caulker are one step closer to having reliable healthcare services. More than a year after the official announcement of the San Pedro and Caye Caulker General Hospital, the Government of Belize hosted a groundbreaking ceremony on Friday, March 1st, to mark the start of construction. This $33 million project is made possible through a grant from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).

The Island Emergency Services gets their second fully equipped ambulance

On Wednesday, February 28th, Island Emergency Services (IES) received its second ambulance. They are excited to let the San Pedro community and tourists know they are fully equipped and ready to serve.

First private hospital officially opens on Ambergris Caye

The Ambergris Hope Hospital is officially open and provides crucial services to island residents and visitors. To celebrate this achievement, the private medical facility on the north part of Pescador Drive held a formal ceremony introducing its medical staff and services to a group of officials, residents, and guests.

San Pedro Lions Club Childhood Cancer Day walk features a little survivor

The San Pedro Lions Club observed the International Childhood Cancer Day with an awareness walk through downtown San Pedro. This was the first time the local club hosted the activity, highlighting a young warrior who survived the life-threatening disease.

San Pedro members of the Belize Coast Guard undergo first responder training

A group of eight members from the Belize Coast Guard (BCG) based in San Pedro Town recently underwent a two-day training to learn basic first aid and life support techniques from the Island Emergency Services (IES) crew. The training covered Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR), First Aid Kit, and an introduction to advanced knowledge of the duties expected from first responders and other medical skills. The training took place from February 11th to February 13th at the BCG base south of Ambergris Caye and was free of charge.

Belize’s King Charles III diagnosed with cancer

Belize’s Head of State, His Majesty King Charles III, 75, has been diagnosed with a form of cancer, as per an official note released on Monday, February 5th. According to the royal note, released from Buckingham Place in London, England, the cancer was discovered during a recent treatment for an enlarged prostate the king was diagnosed with.