AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums The Cayes Ambergris Caye The care and emergency treatment of Mr. Fred Somes

"Dr. Wil Lala, who agreed to follow up on this topic last week, was in agreement with the above recommendations. He also found that a doctor who has been here for 8 years but was trained in Germany is finally approved to get her license to practice in Belize. She is an Emergency Care specialist and Dr. Lala is going to draft a letter to the Minister of Health to have her assigned to San Pedro to assess the emergency care needs of the town and the Poly Clinic as well as providing Emergency Care services."

The Minister of Health is mentioned in the first post of this thread and never again. If a physician who finally got licensed has to ask the Minister of Health for an assignment to San Pedro, it seems the Minster of Health (is there also a Ministry of Health?) would be an excellent starting point for assistance in this endeavor. Yes? No? Why is that option not being discussed in lieu of bringing in US assistance?

I agree with Amanda. This is the government's job. Time to demand action on the government's part. Budget problems? Sorry, health care of the citizens jumps right to the top of the budget if the citizens demand it. Accept out-of-the-country assistance but don't let the government of Belize off the hook here.

Aren't there any government officials located in the SP area?

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When was the last time you visited the US and had free or minimal charge medical care? The US doesn't even offer that to it's own citizens! They provide emergency care and you get the bill after. That is all Belize has to do but to get to that point, as in the US, someone has to pay upfront... In Belize from what I saw the locals can't afford the extra it would take but those who come in from the US, Canada and Europe and buy condos/homes/set up business and make a profit OR enjoy the riches and beauty of Belize can afford to pitch in. They have paid at home, a place that has allowed them to make the cash so that they can enjoy Belize so why should Belize be any different? Would these people agree to exploiting their home country? If not then why agree to exploit Belize???? [/quote]

In Europe - at least in the UK and France, free or very low cost medicine is available to everyone. Both my USA grandmother and stepfather have benefited from this and been amazed at both the quality of care and the price. My grandmother was visiting France and became ill on the plane arriving into the country. An ambulance arrived, she was treated on site by excellent paramedics and then transported to hospital and kept overnight. The total charge for her care was about $80USD. She was shocked and delighted at the quality and speed of the treatment she received. Even more so now that she is being used to milk the system by doctors in the USA. My stepfather, also visiting France, was injured seriously after falling through a plate glass window (my French grandmother had a habit of polishing her staircase just a bit too much). He spent a week in hospital enjoying the care of very cute (in his words) French nurses. That cost him about $120USD.

There are some very good health schemes in Europe, many of which provide free or subsidised health care to a high standard.

I would feel much better about this discussion if Fred was not in the Topic.
Is that to much too much to ask before this thing gets totally hijacked?

I don't have a lot of time but the tax issue with Goldson is not the departure fee that you pay when you leave the country but the tax levied as part of the airfare you pay when you purchase a ticket to Belize. Ever wonder why you can fly to Cancun from South Florida for under $150 round trip and the cheapest fare to and from BZE is at least three times that amount. The fact that you don't know about the tax doesn't mean you are not paying it.

This thread isn't being hijacked at all. I think Fred would want something positive to come out of his unfortunate death.

Now on to "locals". I assume by that term most here are thinking of poor folks living in shacks. What about the wealthy "locals"? There are many of them. What is their responsibility to improve the emergency healthcare on the island? If I owned a major business or hotel/condo development I think it would be my responsibility to help out. After all it is my life, or my family, friends or employees and guests that are at risk.

When a tourist in my town (and we get WAY more visitors than San Pedro) uses the local EMS they get free paramedic care from the FD and pay for the ambulance ride. We don't tax all of them upon arrival. My taxes pay for that service.

I think a great way to solve this problem is to meet with the local folks that are involved in the North and South Neighborhood Watch Comittees to see what their ideas and what is needed are. Then put the collective heads together of the folks here with EMS and medical training along with the island medical pros. Take inventory of what is available equipment and personnel wise. Address those items needed and training required. After a good idea is formulated present it to the GOB and the local business community for funding ideas.

A tourist ( I should say most) won't have a problem paying a nominal fee for EMS service provided. A proper system would be able to bill an insurance carrier directly. A "locals" payment could be worked out also.

Billing an insurance carrier is a lot more complicated than most people think. Most (but not all) group health plans will reimburse the insured for emergent care but generally won't actually pay the provider. Those with the foresight to purchase travel insurance should generally be covered (though some Canadian travel insurers are very stingy). The US "medicare" system won't pay for any care rendered outsite the US. We might be able to persuade some of the larger assistance companies to help us fund a level 3 or 4 center if it can prevent patients being evacuated (this would be on a cost benefit basis).

Oh, and I forgot to mention that the Canadian provincical systems are all over the place on paying for care outside Canada. They generally try to avoid paying anything but if they do pay it will generally be at a much lower level than you would expect.

Quote: In Europe - at least in the UK and France, free or very low cost medicine is available to everyone. Both my USA grandmother and stepfather have benefited from this and been amazed at both the quality of care and the price. My grandmother was visiting France and became ill on the plane arriving into the country. An ambulance arrived, she was treated on site by excellent paramedics and then transported to hospital and kept overnight. The total charge for her care was about $80USD. She was shocked and delighted at the quality and speed of the treatment she received. Even more so now that she is being used to milk the system by doctors in the USA. My stepfather, also visiting France, was injured seriously after falling through a plate glass window (my French grandmother had a habit of polishing her staircase just a bit too much). He spent a week in hospital enjoying the care of very cute (in his words) French nurses. That cost him about $120USD.

There are some very good health schemes in Europe, many of which provide free or subsidised health care to a high standard. Unquote

Take my word for it there is no such thing as free. It is just paid for differently in the countries you mention and other than on an emergency basis it is rationed. I assure you that you don't want to be of a certain age and need a certain treatment using the NHS of the UK. France is somewhat better in this regard but not much. Even Canada with it's system is a complete shambles with patients on gurneys in hallways for days at a time.

This is not to say that these systems don't have their good qualities but please don't imply that the US system is expensive and the others are free.

just a side note: here in my part of PA, i don't think EMS is nearly completely covered by our taxes (very high, in our county). every year we get a donation card for ambulance service. it is voluntary to donate.

every time that card comes, i think to myself: if it was my husband or mom that needed that ambulance, i sure hope they have the $$ to get here and help.

so, every year we give. end of story.

Yes Sir, I'm in for this "summit".

I will not be able to come until July this year. It would also need to be prior to the start of our American football season with our first game usually the first weekend of Sept. I have 2 sons who both play and I am not willing to intentionally miss any of their games. So if you guys would consider scheduling it between the first part of July and the end of August then I would like to be there and be involved in this effort.

Thanks