ilenelittle
3/22/2017 09:40 EST
Looking for xpats to express their opinion of the public health care facilities in * based on personal experience. Would like to hear form people who are relying on public health care for their medical needs. Love to hear from people who have relied on public health care systems in other countries for comparison
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mgammo
3/22/2017 10:40 EST
I broke my arm down in Belize in Corozal. I went to the local hospital. They gave me a Voltaren injection and set it. They were not allowed to give me anything for pain. I had to go to a pharmacy and get some codeine. I just walked in a got it. I don't think people seem to grasp the idea that in third world countries, at least in Belize there is hardly any health care per say. I had a bad fall and found a US trained internest who practices in Belize. My buddy down there who has bad heart problems has to fly back to the states every time something comes up. I do know some go into Chetemal, Mexico and pay out of pocket totally for services rendered. They are not operating under the system we are operating up here in the states. One of the wheel chairs at the hospital was a plastic lawn chair tied onto a set of what looked like big lawn mower wheels if that gives you any indication...
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destiny56
3/22/2017 13:13 EST
What do you expect? You are telling me you go to a third world country, and expect them to have the same health care system than the States for free. Com' on man you must be kidding me right, I thought people who moves to any other country, 1st world country, or third world country have to buy private health care insurance in case they become sick. So what is the problem?
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5allan1
3/22/2017 14:44 EST
destiny56 is correct. I worked both public and private and the former, though essentially free is really grim- a notch above rattles and leeches. Many of the MDs are Cuban, poorly trained and speak no ingles. The private is excellent for basic or minor problems. The Northern Clinic in OW where I worked had a little inpatient unit with very good specialty care and very attentive nursing but only one spoke English. I had a patient though who needed emergency eye surgery and went to the Hoy clinic in BZE where after the procedure the anesthetist took off before full recovery and he was wheeled out semi consious in an office chair because there were no wheelchairs. He is still blind in that eye. In Consejo I had a fellow who got cut up by a bush hog and 911 was inoperative and it took 90 min to get an ambulance and the paramedics tried to stick the IV while in motion on that crappy road to Corozal. He lost the leg. I am familiar with the health care in Mex, Nic and Costa Rica and it is first world and inexpensive. No comparison. I had lunch with the only neurosurgeon in BZ and he was very good but the infrastructure he needed to deal with head injury etc was not there.
The moral is not to relocate to BZ unless you are in perfect physical and mental health and are not accident prone. Even so, Corozal is close to the first rate Clinico Carranza in Chetumal which is affordable. As for kids there are some terrific pediatricians as good as any up north, but the infrastructure is not there for anything beyond minor issues.
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mgammo
3/22/2017 21:49 EST
I certainly have no preconceived notions about health care in a third world country being comparable health care in a first world country....
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bobbyveee
3/23/2017 11:22 EST
Yes , have to agree with Allen on this. only yesterday a groups of Ambergis caye residents were out protesting against the lack of a hospital; on the caye, its been promised but gov. havent a penny in the kitty. Sadly a young woman who had had treatment at the clinic but needed more urgent attention died at Tropic air department lounge while waiting for a plane to Belize city .
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Vallew11
3/23/2017 13:32 EST
So are all of you that have moved to Belize trying to persuade those of us thinking of moving there not to? Just trying to figure out why it must be so awful to live there when so many say it's paradise
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bobbyveee
3/23/2017 14:02 EST
this is just about health care, nothing more, you have to make your own decisions on whether Belize is where you want to be. Come visit and see for yourselves.
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terrific
3/23/2017 14:10 EST
There are posters that no longer live in Belize who for some reason seem to try to get that message across all the time. Yes Health care in Belize is basic not sure where this repeated reference to lack of "Wheel chairs" in hospitals is such a major point, may have a shortage compared to US hospitals but I have seen regular wheel chairs in both Belmopan and Belize city hospitals. Also surely Belize ingenuity at using what is available to make a temporary one is a good thing. Watch this forum for a while you will work out he expats who live in Belize, part time or full time, and those who no longer wish to live there.. I love Belize warts and all.
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Vallew11
3/23/2017 16:08 EST
We are coming for a 10 day visit in December. But it does make me worried a little about their healthcare availability. Now being older it is something I worry about for the first time in my life regarding if it will be adequate for older people. Back to the drawing board I guess. I suppose that is why Costa Rica has been so popular for us older generations. Better healthcare ??
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Vallew11
3/23/2017 16:15 EST
terrific- that is great to hear a positive response. We are struggling between an island and living on a Catamaran.
We are planning on really doing some in depth homework while in Ambergris Caye this coming Christmas. Hoping 10 days is sufficient amount of time to get some idea of the area.
With being/getting older, healthcare has definitely been a concern of mine. It sounds like the best option is to carry private insurance.
I'll keep reading comments here and try to decipher who live here, past residents and newbies.
Thanks
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