On October thirtieth, the Northern Regional Hospital faced sharp criticism after a public officer accused its emergency team of neglecting his eleven-year-old son’s open gash. Just fourteen days later, the hospital is under fire again. This time, the allegation is that a firefighter died after being denied treatment for a broken leg in a cast. Reports claim he sought help for discomfort but was sent home, only to be rushed back later when his condition worsened. He was then referred to K.H.M.H., where he passed away. However, the hospital denies these claims, calling the social media report inaccurate. Regional Health Manager Feliz Rhaburn told News Five that the patient didn’t have a broken leg but an injury, and was treated and given home care instructions, which apparently weren’t followed.
Felix Rhaburn
Felix Rhaburn, Regional Health Manager, N.R.H.
“We have been made aware that there are certain is supposed circulatingwhereby the alleged father to the individual having a green. They had fever, a broken leg, and I’m not sure where it was in front of . But that’s somewhat very erroneous. The patient had none of the above and patient had other conditions that we need to try to manage here, and we had to escalate it to cage image for further management and unfortunately, the individual passed away. The individual suffered an injury which was not an open wound. So the mere fact that it could have developed into an infection is not really logical. And the individual was being seen and does have a history in regards to the same complaint. The physician indicated certain orders which were not strictly alert to from what we understand. And that resulted in the complication that, resulted in on time in the untimely death. We are not really blaming anyone. We think that the whole situation was unfortunate and it definitely highlights to whereby we need to be more diligent as an institution in regards to giving clear outpatient or at home indications. We only have records of his. Visits here, and we are not really certain of what happened at his home and so forth.”
Rhaburn clarified that the patient, who we later confirmed with the Orange Walk Fire Service, was not an active firefighter but a volunteer from years ago. He believes that whoever is spreading these false claims has a personal vendetta against the hospital. While this negative publicity isn’t what they want, Rhaburn emphasized that the hospital takes great pride in the quality of service they provide.
Felix Rhaburn, Regional Health Manager, N.R.H.
“We pride ourselves in what we do here. And we definitely, try to guard our reputation. The negative effects of misinformation on professional institutions. I mean, especially when. The information is coming from questionable characters. So just remain diligent of getting the right information, and we also will remain diligent in executing our duties here. We definitely sit and have reviews after these incidents because many of the time we can modify some of our policies and good practices. which would mitigate these occurrences. So we definitely sit and review each of these.”
News Five checked with the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital to find out what level of treatment, if any they could render to the patient upon his arrival from Orange Walk. Their response is that they are investigating the incident and have no further comment at this time.
Today, Speaker of the House Valerie Woods shared some shocking news: she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She broke the news to her parliamentary colleagues just before the day’s session ended. To make matters even more heartbreaking, she made the announcement on her birthday. Despite this, she assured everyone that she plans to continue her role as Speaker, a position she’s held since 2020, although her treatment might affect her attendance. Here’s what she had to say.
Valerie Woods, Speaker of the House
“Members before I put the question to adjourn, I feel obliged to inform members that my presiding over the meetings of this house for the remainder of the parliamentary session may be affected in the coming weeks due to my recent diagnoses of breast cancer. Now while I fully intend to discharge my duties, I hope you can understand that I may have to be absent as I undergo treatment. So it goes. So, thank you for your understanding. And with that, I put to question. All those in favor, kindly say I…those against, kindly say no…I think the I’s have it.”
Last week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (K.H.M.H.A.W.U.) sat down with the Prime Minister to discuss a proposed amendment to the K.H.M.H. Act. This change would have replaced the union’s representative on the hospital’s board of governors with someone from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.). After some pushback from the union, the government agreed to let the union nominate two candidates, from which one would be chosen for the board. However, in an interview on Monday, Health Minister Kevin Bernard mentioned that he hadn’t been updated on the final decision and still supported the idea of appointing the N.T.U.C.B. representative. Here’s what he had to say.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“The KHMH union represents the workers, they have been tasked with the, in fact the union representative who sits on the board and I will not go to my own personal perceptional views of Mister Baird that’s, that’s outside of this, has been given umpteen times to come up with a CBA that will best approach the issues that the workers and the employees of KHMH that falls under the union have been clamoring for. We have not gotten at a single document to propose to the board.”
Reporter
“So it’s decided that he will be changed out now that you’re not going forward with that amendment?”
Kevin Bernard
“Well it’s not that he will be changed out. The KHMH Union suggests a member, I am the Minister of Health, to appoint members to the KHMH governing body Then they make their suggestions and if we feel that this suggestion that they are suggesting, I have received a letter that Mr. Alain Gonzalez is now going to be their representative to the board. However, we, I have not made any appointment of that nature yet because we are at the process where we were making an amendment. I still personally feel that The best approach is to put a member appointed by the NTUCB, but who is not a member of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Union. There’s many reasons for that. It’s to avoid conflicts and to also ensure that there’s wider representation from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, who will also have a higher, a better voice, not only for the union members, but for every employee that is, that works under the Carl Huston Mural Hospital. I know that it has come out of House committee. We have not made a final decision as to whether we will proceed with this. We will look at and listen to the concerns and from there we will take it from there.”
Reporter
“The NTUCB president said though that you were backtracking after the meeting with the PM and the Minister of Public Service.”
Kevin Bernard
“Like I said I saw that they had a meeting with the prime minister, that we are going to cabinet today to do a follow up on that same discussion. So I will leave it at that.”
Last month, the Government of Belize overhauled the old Food and Drug registration, licensing, and inspection regulations, introducing new laws to better oversee pharmaceutical products. Amid these legislative changes, the Ministry of Health’s Chief Drug Inspector resigned to join the private sector. Tonight, Health Minister Kevin Bernard confirmed that a new health inspector is being considered for the role. He also explained how the drug inspection unit has been working diligently to ensure that essential medicines remain available in Belize.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“You have seen where our drug inspectorate unit our inspectors have been out. If it was not because of them, we would not have been able to pick up on many of these issues that we’ve seen. We have won cases where we have seen contraband medications coming in, where we have seized, and we work very closely with the Customs and Police Department. And that just proves that work has been going on by that unit. We are serious when it comes to ensuring that the pharmaceuticals, the medications that are coming into this country is of standard. And that’s one of the reasons why our people go out and do constant investigations, constant review of facilities across the country, private and public. And we need to ensure that this is safety of our people. To say that this amendment to the drug act that we are proposing is going to allow these pharmaceutical companies to do the same thing or more, that is not we’re trying to strengthen it. We’re trying to bring in more penalties to ensure that we do not see the repeat of these type of things. If you look at the act completely, it speaks of many regulations it’s a draft at this point in time I was able to take it to commit for approval and then it goes through the necessary. Process of farther content. No, remember this entire bill was had several consultations done across the various sectors of the and we need to ensure that we’re following international regulations set out by the WHO and other agencies. And so we have developed this bill to ensure for the safety of our people and for proper regulations to take place.”
Recently, the Southern Regional Hospital staff found themselves under scrutiny due to an investigation into the misappropriation of funds. Police have arrested accounts clerk Thalia Gillett for misusing funds. Additionally, in October, custodian Lyndon Parham was charged with sexual assault after allegedly kissing his unconscious boss at the hospital. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard reassures the public that these incidents have been thoroughly investigated and proper protocols followed. He emphasizes that the hospital’s reputation should not be tarnished by these isolated events.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“When I got the report, I got the call we started the investigation. I asked the CEO to look into the matter and we found that there were some improperties done at the Southern Regional Hospital however I cannot speak to the issue because it’s in the, it’s going to be in the court and so I don’t want to divulge anything at this point in time that will. In terms of this case, we are going, all I’m saying is that we did our investigation. It’s matter now in the hands of the police who will take the matter to the court. And from there, then we can provide a better response.”
Reporter
“But as the Minister of Health, can you talk to us about what’s going down in Dangriga? We actually had a case of sexual assault coming from that hospital as well. Most recently, are you guys concerned about the culture down at the southern regional?”
Kevin Bernard
“It’s an unfortunate situation that occurred, but you cannot say this is a culture at the Southern Regional. You’re putting everybody in the same wrong shoe. That’s wrong to say that, man. And you need to correct that. I do not agree that we can put every one of our health people, health professionals that are working hard to improve health outcomes in this country, in the shoe of somebody who made us a terrible, grave error. That is another matter that is going before the necessary processes. It is. As if a person is permanently employed, he has to go to the commission. We will not hold back on any investigation of anything, anybody doing any wrongdoing. I’ve said this from the very beginning. We will go through the processes that has to be followed, but we do it by the rule of law.”
According to the latest info, most of S.S.B.’s sickness claims since the COVID pandemic have been for upper respiratory illnesses. While it’s pretty straightforward for patients to claim sickness benefits for these conditions, it’s going to take a lot longer before we can claim for anything related to long COVID or lingering health issues from COVID. The reason? It’s still tough to get a definitive diagnosis for long COVID, and we won’t have enough data to make those connections for at least another ten years. Plus, the World Health Organization and the Pan American Health Organization are still in the early stages of developing the diagnostic codes doctors need to identify long COVID-related illnesses. Sean Sebastian, S.S.B.’s Manager of Research and Analysis Services, explained the lengthy process before these options can even make it onto the sick forms that doctors fill out.
Sean Sebastian
Sean Sebastian, Manager, Research & Analysis Services, S.S.B.
“When we collect data, the sickness benefit claims data, we use a data classification system called ICD 11. It’s International Classification of Disease, version 11. That’s the most recent version of that system in the world right now, so we are already using that at Social Security Board. But that paper came out in 2024, so they haven’t included that sickness code into the International Classification of Diseases system as yet. So as soon as that is done, we will update our system and include that so the doctors would have that code to correctly classify or identify the Long COVID diagnosis, and then we’ll be able to accurately measure and report on the impact that Long COVID has had on our working population.”
At the remarkable age of ninety, Henrietta Gill remains a vibrant and dedicated contributor to Belize. For decades, we’ve been inspired by Gill, who first gained recognition in the nineties as a pioneering boxing coach. Her influence extended beyond the ring, as she played a crucial role in mediating conflicts between rival gangs in Belize City. In 2023, this spirited nonagenarian was honored with the title of Ms. Y, a prestigious accolade she will hold until 2025.
Henrietta Gill
Henrietta Gill, Belizean Patron
“I was giving up the crown on October 29th, but they have extended it to sometime in May. So I’ll be reigning from 2023 to 2025. And my daughters they decided, it was a surprise for me, they decided to bring something and you saw the card that they have there. They decided to come and give something to the children. I use to teach here many years aback, and slow readers, and so I decided that Holy Redeemer and Muslim [Community School]. So I gave Muslim this morning and now, we are doing Holy Redeemer, giving back.”
Isani Cayetano
“How do you feel, at ninety years old, still being able to contribute to Belizean society?”
Henrietta Gill
“I feel great. You know, it brings back for me, my prime minister, the Father of the Nation. Mr. Price, he knew me from a child in Corozal, he has been with us, shared with us and giving back here to my children. To tell you the truth, children are my passion. When I work with the children and I get what I want, I know we are going to get a better Belize.”
Glenda Nicks
Glenda Nicks, Dental Office Manager
“We are very aware that oral health is not something that’s prominent a lot oftimes, especially in countries like these, people that are forty or fifty years old that have never been to a dentist before. So we know that at an early age is when we should start doing this. So we have this here, but last year we were in Costa Rica and we had a really huge health fair where we actually treated people. Ms. Henrietta Gill, for many of us here in Belize, stands out as one of those who has contributed to our society in so many different ways.
Isani Cayetano
“How does it feel to know that at ninety years old, your mom has this drive to want to give back to her beloved Belize?”
Glenda Nicks
“It’s a great honor to know that she is a pioneer as far as helping and giving back to society and basically what it is, is God puts us here for some reason and her reason is to be of service to her human mankind.”
In the heart of San Ignacio Town, one man has devoted his life to harnessing the healing power of nature. Seventy-six-year-old Harry Guy, a native of Punta Gorda, spent his childhood venturing into the jungle with the adults in his community. These early adventures sparked his enduring passion for traditional medicine. By the tender age of seven, Guy had already mastered the use of natural remedies to treat various sores. Fast forward more than six decades, and Harry Guy has become a celebrated figure, renowned for his company, Jungle Remedies. News Five’s Paul Lopez journeyed west to uncover the story of Guy’s lifelong dedication to traditional medicine. Here is his report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
Seventy-six-year-old Harry Guy Senior, a resident of San Ignacio, has dedicated the past thirty years to running Jungle Remedies. From his home, he makes traditional medicines using a rich variety of leaves, herbs, and tree barks, primarily gathered from the lush jungles of Belize. His deep knowledge and passion for natural healing have made Jungle Remedies a trusted name in the community.
Harry Guy Sr
Harry Guy Sr, Owner, Jungle Remedies
“I work in natural healing. It is something I use to do from when I was a kid, because when I was seven years old I mih already know how to treat lesmanisis, what we call bay sore or chiclera. At the age of twelve I could ah mih done know how to treat snake bite and deh things like that. This dah something I grow up into from the time I was a kid.”
Guy invited us into his home to get a firsthand look at his operation. Inside his storeroom are sacks filled with the raw ingredients used to make his bottled products, like the quick fix. According to the label, this remedy not only promises to eliminate toxins but also boosts libido. Despite being a potent blend of four different herbs and barks, it goes down smoothly, ensuring a pleasant experience with every drop.
Paul Lopez
“What is the most prominent type of herb or natural product that you could find here in Belize.”
Harry Guy Sr.
“I think almost everything. But the most popular one, the one I use right now is the one called cat claw. It is a vine.”
Paul Lopez
“Tell me a bit about what it does.”
Harry Guy Sr.
“Cat claw could treat almost everything. That builds up your immune system. You can treat cancer, high blood pressure, diabetes, outer immune diseases and different things you can treat with it. It’s an all purpose herbs.”
It took Harry Guy over a decade to perfect the recipes for his line of jungle remedies. His dedication has attracted clients from around the globe, many of whom report achieving their desired outcomes. In recognition of his success, Fox News featured Guy in a 2014 article. However, as he grows older, Guy finds it increasingly difficult to navigate the challenging jungle terrain to source ingredients. To ensure the legacy of Jungle Remedies continues, he has begun passing the torch to his son, Harry Guy Junior.
Harry Guy Jr.
Harry Guy Jr., Co-Owner, Jungle Remedies
“The hardest thing is going to the jungle and stuff. It is not something new. When I was young I use to go with my dad to the jungle and stuff. Now I am really focused on it, trying to get all of his knowledge and trying to know all the plants and stuff like that.”
Paul Lopez
“How much joy does it bring you to learn this trade?”
Harry Guy Jr.
“It is a lot of joy. Everything we use is right here in Belize and people could just pass by and don’t know what it is used for. I am passing some of the knowledge to my son and so other young people that goes with us. My goal is to let the herbal business keep on and give the knowledge back to someone that will continue it.”
In our conversation with Harry Guy Senior, we asked him for his thoughts on the debate surrounding traditional medicine versus modern medicine.
Harry Guy Sr.
“To my knowledge I believe sometimes you have to use both of them. You could use this alternative medicine with pharmaceutical medicine because this one isn’t a drug. It is like a drink or food or some type of supplement. It does not counteract any type of medicine you are taking. Nowhere classify it as drugs, because if it was a drug they would stop you from using it, but its all natural.”
As wildfires continue to ravage Belize’s resource-rich jungles, much like they did earlier this year, Harry Guy’s business faces significant risks. It’s not aging or the jungle’s rugged terrain that poses the greatest threat to this family-owned traditional medicine enterprise, but the devastating impact of these wildfires.
Harry Guy Sr.
“Yes wildfire, that is the worst one right now. When Hurricane Richard a fire started form Gracie Rock. It came all the way through and jumped through Coastal Road, crossed the cave branch river, cross the Stann Creek Road. So, you could just imagine the amount of destruction. Well it makes everything harder for me, much harder.”
On Monday night, we shared a father’s distressing account, accusing the Northern Regional Hospital of negligence. He claimed he had to rush his son to a private clinic for urgent care after the public facility failed to treat him. According to the father, his eleven-year-old son, who had suffered a deep gash between his eyebrows from a fall, waited over an hour without receiving any medical attention. Frustrated by the long wait and lack of care, they left the hospital. The father also mentioned seeing the medical staff chatting idly when he peeked into the ER. In response, the Northern Regional Hospital defended its actions today, stating that the child did not wait for an hour and that his vitals were taken promptly. However, by the time the medical team was ready to attend to his injury, the child was no longer there. Attempts to contact the hospital for further comments were unsuccessful, as the phone lines were reportedly down on Monday. Felix Rhaburn, the Regional Health Manager, provided their side of the story, emphasizing the hospital’s commitment to patient care.
Felix Rhaburn
Felix Rhaburn, Regional Health Manager, N.R.H.
“We would like to empathize with the client and the father for their experience. And, secondly, we did a review or an investigation of the complaint, and we were not able to verify a significant portion of the statement that the individual had given to different media hosts. So, we verified and the child arrived with the mother at two-fifty-six p.m. And they left at around 3:30, so they didn’t spend an hour at our facility.. So the client and the partner for, um, their experience. And, um, secondly, we did a review or an investigation of the complaint, and, um, we were not able to verify a significant portion of the statement that the individual have, um, given to different media hosts. So, we, um, verified and a child arrived with the mother at 2. 56 p.m. And they left at around 3. So they didn’t spend an hour at our facility. In response to no interruption, the healthcare provider, again, that was incorrect. Immediately, the child was triaged and classified as a priority case. And, um, from there, they have a turnaround time that we work with and they left within that turnaround time. And as far as we’re concerned yesterday, we had some issues with the phone line.”
