San Pedro Hospital Price Could Soar Beyond Original Plan

Tonight, questions are growing over the rising cost of the long-awaited San Pedro General Hospital. Reports suggest the price tag could climb beyond its original budget, but Health Minister Kevin Bernard says the project is still on track. He points to major upgrades, like expanded infrastructure, a new parking facility, cold chain systems, and advanced diagnostic tools, including mammogram services, as key reasons for the increase. Bernard says these additions are critical to delivering quality secondary care on the island. And while the final cost remains uncertain, the minister is making one thing clear: the hospital will be completed.

 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

 “I know through this the Central Execution Unit from the Ministry of Finance and they identified that where they needed to put in the parking lot. That’s additional works that came in. I know through the ministry, the consultation that was done with PAHO and the visits that were done with PAHO, there are certain cold chain equipment that we had to put in. You know that the ministry has insisted as well that in terms of equipment we will have X-ray machine there, we’ll have ultrasound and we are going to add a mammogram equipment in that facility. Those are things that we want to ensure that those, as a secondary care provider service, that those equipment are there to provide efficient service to the Belizean people, especially those who live in San Pedro, who visit San Pedro. Now I don’t know about the figures that is being thrown out there, but I think that question could be directed to the Central Execution Unit at the Ministry of Finance, who will be able to tell you exactly what the overall costs are. I am sure we will find the funds some way or the other. At the end of the day, that hospital will be finalized. We are on target and we’re making sure that the people of San Pedro get something that they have been longing for quite a long time.”

 

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