Partners 4 Medical Relief Holds Free Surgical Screenings in San Pedro

Residents seeking specialized surgical care attended free screenings at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II on Friday, October 9th. Partners 4 Medical Relief collaborated with the Ministry of Health and Wellness, the Central Health Region, and Corozal District Health Services to identify patients who could benefit from corrective surgery. The screenings ran from 8AM to 3:30PM.
Nurses registered and assessed patients before specialist surgeons examined them to determine whether surgery was needed. The mission addressed cleft lip and palate, ear, nose, and throat (ENT) conditions, facial deformities, and deviated septums. Procedures available included scar revision, ear-tube placement, mole removal, and tonsil removal.
The team scheduled patients for surgery at Corozal Hospital and spent four days performing procedures. The organization covered imaging, laboratory tests, medications, equipment, and surgical care. Patients were responsible only for transportation to Corozal Hospital.
Partners 4 Medical Relief has worked in Belize since 2004, initially focusing on Corozal and Orange Walk. The group expanded its screenings to San Pedro after identifying shifting patient needs and seeking to reach communities that require specialized ENT and plastic surgery care. This marked the organization’s third visit to San Pedro, following visits in October 2025 and January 2026.
Mandy Morrison, Director of Nursing for Partners 4 Medical Relief, said the turnout reflected growing awareness of the service. “Screening day has gotten more popular with time, so we have seen over 30 patients as of 11 am,” she said. “We do upwards of 80 surgeries in one week, so we have already got a lot of people scheduled successfully.”
Dr. Yen Hsieh, one of the organization’s specialist surgeons, said the team treats a wide range of cases, from small cysts and lesions to cleft lip and palate, congenital conditions, and traumatic injuries. He encouraged residents to seek advice even when they are unsure whether surgery is necessary. “Even if you’re not sure if it’s something that needs surgery or not, we’re here to help,” he said. “In cases where surgery is not needed, we provide advice or at least direction in terms of what the next steps are.”
As demand rises and Partners 4 Medical Relief accepts more complex cases, it plans to expand its San Pedro outreach on future visits. Ongoing screenings and surgical services aim to improve access to specialized care for residents who might otherwise face long waits or additional travel costs.