It's been 8 months since the opening of KHMH's new Pediatric Intensive Care Unit. The unit has 2 sections: the PICU, which can hold over 8 children, and the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit which can treat about 23 babies. But right now there aren't any newborns in there. Sure, the unit seemed all decorated and ready at the October 2015 launch, but it is still not fully operational - there are still a few key finishing touches left to complete the unit. A part of that process is getting more equipment and today several pieces were handed over. It's part of the Japan Grant Assistance for Grassroots and Human Security Project. We stopped by to find out how this program has helped build and upgrade the new unit.
H.E. Masanori Nakano, Japanese Ambassador to Belize
"I come to know that Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital had been in dire need to improve its facility; to enhance the responsiveness to a patient. We've decided to offer our assistance to the hospital almost 2 years ago."
Dr. Adrian Coye, CEO, KHMH
"We had an equipment list for which would have helped us to supply the unit. We had to modify that list between then and now which is then the reason why we are now handing over that refined list. We were investing in vital equipment such as arterial blood gas machines, one for each unit because as you know this unit is NICU and PICU. Also we have a cerebral oximeter which are very specialized monitors for brain activity and for protection of children who are being ventilated or neonates. An EKG machine is also part of what we've bought and infusion pumps. The biggest expense we had was actually subsequent to the opening which was what you were asking about. We saw a need to actually have a stand by generator just for this unit even though the very big one that we have for the hospital has the ability to do both, we felt at that time that we should revisit and therefore we have that as the biggest investment from that grant. For all the equipment that we've acquired, there is appropriate training that will come with it yes. Some of the equipment that we have acquired are fairly straightforward in terms of how to use them, but of course there are others that are higher end definitely. It's not only about use but also the maintenance of, and so we are very focused and trying to have the best support for the different types of equipment."
The grant was valued at $119,705. The agreement for the grant program was signed on March 14th, 2014.
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