The Ambergris Hopes Clinic now offers Hyperbaric Medicine treatment as they now have a Hyperbaric Chamber in the new building that will serve as a 24-hour medical facility. The Belize Chamber Project was inaugurated on Thursday, May 14th, and is the first phase of the new facility. Ambergris Hopes, located on Pescador Drive, is striving to create a facility that will offer a wide range of medical services to the community. At the inauguration event, local businessman and longtime resident, Corry McDermott made a significant donation of $5,000 which will be used for the second phase which includes the construction of a Diagnosis Center (x-ray and ultrasound) and a Maternity Ward.
Operational Manager Abner Bacab indicated that once the facility is complete, the clinic will be equipped to offer all sorts of medical services, from maternity, dentistry, decompression sickness treatment and other general practices. “The new building will be connected to the building that currently houses the Ambergris Hopes Clinic. The expansion of the clinic will allow for more doctor offices, as well as specialized rooms needed for diagnosing, such as X-rays and ultrasounds. We are also working on getting an ambulance that will be used in case of emergencies,” said Bacab.
One of the two resident doctors at Ambergris Hopes, Dr. Miguel Allison Del Valle, stated that while the primary use of the chamber is for dive related incidents, the clinic will use it for other medical treatments as well. 
“We will focus on using the hyperbaric chamber for a variety of medical treatments including diabetes, ulcers and brain issues. This chamber is just an added feature to the clinic. If we receive patients that are diagnosed with illnesses that require oxygen treatment then we will recommend the use of the chamber. We are trying to make people understand that there are many uses for the chamber. While decompression sickness patients will have priority use of the chamber, any other patients wanting oxygen treatment can use the chamber,” said Dr. Del Valle, who is certified in Dive Medicine.
The momentous event marks a new era for San Pedro, as once the facility fully opens, it will be the first 24-hour private clinic on the island. “This has been years of planning and struggles to make this possible. We hope the community truly benefits from this new facility. The chamber alone will be beneficial. We will be able to treat burn patients, persons with advanced ulcers, persons that have suffered strokes or have brain damage, all using the chamber. Once we have the facility running 100%, we will be able to treat patients effectively and efficiently,” said Dr. Daniel Gonzalez, Administrator of Ambergris Hopes Clinic.
During the short inauguration ceremony, McDermott handed over a check to Dr. Gonzalez. “The money I have donated will go towards the purchase of an X-ray machine. We need proper machinery to take care of all the people that come to the island. We need more contributions toward health facilities. Every time a person contributes, it benefits the entire community,” said McDermott.
Ambergris Hopes Clinic thanks the San Pedro Town Council, Corry McDermott and the entire community of San Pedro for their continuous support towards the clinic.
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