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

I'm not sure this is accurate information. On Feb. 14, 2009 @ 21:30 Dr. Danny told me directly that Dr. Tina was still unlicensed for private practice in Belize. I have also been told by Dr. Danny that she was trained in anesthesia.

Obviously she may have been approved since Feb 14, 2009 but this information needs confirmation directly from her or Dr. Danny.

This project is very much needed, but it will never see furition or be sustainable unless the Government of Belize takes an active role in implementing it. There have certainly been many generous offers of assistance from groups and individuals on this thread. Hopefully that expertise could be utilized by the Government, but the Government would expect to have control,and righfully so. This is a problem for all of Belize.
I am dismayed by the comments that expats who come here are in some way exploiting the system. If you look back at the many thread on this board, I think you will see that there are many people giving time and resources to libraries, schools, clinic, neighborhood watch groups etc. Please let's not make this a "them and us" thing. If we want to see this accomplished, lets keep that out of it.

I think the point I was trying to make (badly) was that it is possible to have a good health care system and emergency service provision that is affordable to all, even tourists and foreign residents.

From the positive words coming from people like TravelinMan, Reaper and others, I believe that a seed has been sown and their suggestions are sounding very positive and realistic.

I'm sorry Collyk, my post wasn't directed to your thoughtful post. I agree we can and should have an affordable service provision for all and some of the suggestions have truely been very realistic and worthy of consideration. I guess I would like to see the discussion remain postive, as that is the only way it can be accomplished.

I am happy to help in any way I can. I have done everything from running the US Air Force's Tactical Aeromedical Evacuation System (worldwide) to managing most of the emergency rooms in SW Ohio to running a business that dealt with all aspects of travelers healthcare including 24/7 operations center. I am on the island from tomorrow until 10th of May but probably won't be back until July sometime. If we can agree on a date I will do my best to adjust my schedule to be there.

July may be a good time to schedule the "summit".

It will need to be between July 8th and August 15th in order for me to be able to attend. Not that my attendance is critical to achieving this goal but I would like to attend and contribute to this effort.

"This project is very much needed, but it will never see furition or be sustainable unless the Government of Belize takes an active role in implementing it. There have certainly been many generous offers of assistance from groups and individuals on this thread. Hopefully that expertise could be utilized by the Government, but the Government would expect to have control,and righfully so. This is a problem for all of Belize."

Health issues know no season or vacation schedule. They are never scheduled for availability of volunteers. The only constant is the Government of Belize. It's not only their job, but they are always here. None of volunteers so eagerly posting mention a word about petitioning the government as well as coming to a "summit". Why is that?

It is assumed by me that IF a "summit" is scheduled that the local government officials WOULD attend and hopefully the national level health officials as well.

I don't think any of the "eagerly posting volunteers" expect to succeed without the local and national government agencies not only being involved but actually being in charge of this effort.

My personal interest is just to aid in getting this ball rolling and hopefully off the ground. Long term sustainability will require the GOB to be financially committed to this effort in my opinion. Whether it's the Town of San Pedro or whether it's the national GOB or a combination of both it the unanswered question.

In my opinion, there are only two ways an 24 hour ER and paramedic service will stay in business.
1. Operate it like a business and present a bill after every service. This will very likely not happen.
2. Get a group of community leaders and doctors around Belize and start petitioning the GOB for better health services. Along with private donations the GOB can keep things running they just need to get the ball rolling. I'm sure the GOB can scrape together enough cash if they needed to.

Its nice to see there are doctors and organizations around North America that would like to contribute, but without the GOB, its not going to happen.

Belize cannot adopt the French system and tax the Belizean people to death. 65% tax for small business owners is crazy! We cannot afford the US system either. A special product made just for Belize is needed. What that is? I have no idea.

1) organize a group of people to come together with some local and national government officials.
2) make a plan that will solve the issues on AC not nationwide.
3) get the plan approved and come up with a budget to make it happen.
4) figure out how to fund it.

We are not looking for a health care system simply and ER with paramedics.

As Joanne and others have mentioned we cannot reinvent the health care system here. I think we need to focus on the ER and paramedics for the island. Nothing more.

If anyone thinks that a tax on condo owners is going to make it happen they are going to be disappointed. There must be a relatively constant revenue stream and in the end it is feasible that the operation will fund itself. I don't think anyone will have a problem paying a couple of hundred dollars to receive the services and if people can't afford it we can just leave them on the side of the road! Just joking. the system will take care of it. The services are for everyone so they must be paid for by everyone.
Somebody make the 1) happen and I will be there.