The KHMH will have its first tertiary care unit with the help of a $100,000
donation. This afternoon Dr. Thomas Mehalic presented equipment to the neurological
department at the KHMH and we found out how it will make a difference for healthcare
in Belize.
Alfonso Noble Reporting,
This equipment, a donation from FIENS, the Foundation for International Education
and Neurological Surgery, worth $100,000 is expected to compliment the KHMH's
establishment of a fully operational neurology department. Dr. Thomas Mehalic
says it came about as part of the commitment FIENS has to Belize.
Dr. Thomas Mehalic,
"We were able to contact various American corporations and hospitals
and they have generously donated this equipment to the country of Belize. The
neuro-surgical department is ready to be established. We have two qualified
neurosurgeons here on staff, we have the equipment that's being donated, they've
had basic equipment donated in the past by our FIENS organization, and additional
equipment will be donated upon future visits by myself and other members of
the FIENS organization."
Hon. Vildo Marin, Minister of Health
"With this equipment here, and the fact that we have two neurosurgeons
now, we can safely say that we have the department now and it is my understanding
that all we need now is this microscope which costs about US$200,000 but we
can get this refurbished and renovated by the organization for something like
BZ$20,000."
But while there is only one piece of equipment that needs to be acquired, the
neurosurgical department at the KHMH is already operational and for Marin it
means that tertiary level care is now available in Belize.
Hon. Vildo Marin,
"The importance now is that those very sensitive tertiary level care
will be able to be done here at the KHMH. Its very important for the Belizean
people to know that there are many people out there who have a very big heart
and they want to donate. As a matter of fact we work very closely with other
organizations such as Lions, such as Rotary, the BCVI, the Cuban government,
the Venezuelan government, and so many other people out there who want to donate
to Belize to ensure that we Belizeans live a healthier lifestyle."
Mehalic and the two local neurosurgeons also handed over protocols developed
on how to deal with neurological patients.
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