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

Point taken. I think you can tell that I'm trying to raise the bar on the definition of government assistance in this endeavor. You can throw mountains of voluteer effort at this but without even a molehill of government financial support, it won't last, IMO. Ongoing financial support from the GOB is the key. I mean, after all, how much revenue does SP and AC generate for the GOB?

There has to be a way for the financing to stay in place when the ruling GOB party changes. Politics is going to take a big role in this endeavour...

Many of you folks posting on here have a lot more experience in and of Belize, it's people, the government and the needs. In my humble opinion government involvement is often very problematic. Of course we would need at least the tacit approval of the local and perhaps national government but we should guard against this system becoming part of the spoils system.

It seems to me that whatever is done needs to be driven by the actual medical needs of the people on the island. It should include the folks in the North as well the South in addtion to San Pedro.

I think a useful model would be to analyse the medical needs and compare that to the actual capabilities we have and go from there. We should pay particular attention to existing referral and transportation practices. It is critically important to involve the physicians that practice on the island right from the beginning and they should be given every assurance that we will be endeavoring to help each and everyone of them succeed as professionals and economically. This needs to kept in mind at every stage of this project and in the design of the system that we hope will ultimately emerge.

In designing any system of medical care transporation is always a key issue as is communication but given our geography it is likely of paramount concern.

How the referrals are handled will be another major point of contention if not thought out and agreed to by all the physicians.

Someone needs to take the lead here and organize this first meeting. I think this is better done by someone that lives on the island, that knows the local political ropes and has a relationship with at least some of the local physicians.

Let me know as far in advance as you can and I'll do my best to be there and contribute to the best of my ability.

Good point Martin... I have sent a note to some of the ACER folks and some of the business folks who have been involved in growing emergency care on the island... and I know others are doing the same... the project def. needs an anchor. Good enthusiasm so far though!

GoB can do something - see news item below from Channel 7 / last night's news:


Healthcare in the Toledo District is about access, particularly for those thousands of residents living in far flung villages, across miles of unpaved roads. And that's what this clinic, the Isabel Palma Polylcinic in San Antonio Village promises to provide for those residents. The clinic has forty five rooms, complete with an Emergency treatment, Maternity and Nursing stations, nebulizing bays and consultation rooms. It is also outfitted with X-Ray and Lab services as well as a pharmacy.
It is part of the Health Sector Reform Project and is named after career nurse Isabel Palma, whose daughter Kamela Palma is now Belize's High Commissioner to the United Kingdom.

Tenitive dates for this meeting are sometime between July 19 and July 29.

If these dates are in conflict with with another important meeting or if anyone knows of a conflict that would prevent the local political leaders from being able to attend then please post the conflicting date.

Thanks

Copy of my note to one of the town officials.


Ersel,

Martin Smith (former head of the US Airforce medical emergency response world wide), Dr. John Gillis (ER doctor and medical director of Bandage International) and I are trying to organize a meeting with the local government heads of San Pedro in an attempt to establish a 24/7 ER facility on AC.

Tenitive dates are sometime between July 19 - 29.

Could you please forward this message to your mayor, Mr. Heredia, as well as any other government official and ask if they would be able to have a meeting about the need for 24/7 emergency medical care on the island?

Thanks
Thomas R. Blackledge, MD
601-849-1918
tommy@tecinfo.com
www.medicalcenterforyou.com

Dr Tommy, I will write your letter in a formal manner and then deliver the request.

Then I will follow up a week later.

Start getting pen to paper. Get some of the local doctors on board, talk to the Lion's and the poly clinic committee etc.

I know travelinman and I are willing to assist in co-ordinating down here.

Just remember - be realistic.

well said amanda...

I've requested this subject be on the agenda of SPBA's next meeting.
It's been raised at SPBA before - maybe the time has come for this to move to the forefront of that organization's agenda.
It's important to us all.