Today's mass casualty simulation gave us the perfect opportunity to speak with Andre Carrillo, the new National Coordinator for BERT. He took over from Yvette Burks in December, at a time when the Belize Emergency Response Team was trying to negotiate a new deal with the Ministry of Health.
Last year, back in late August and early September, we told you about the rift between the Ministry of Health and BERT management. BERT felt that the monthly government subvention was not enough to cover their costs; while the Ministry of Health was saying that the Ministry's just couldn't afford the increase they were asking for.
A temporary resolution was put in place while the two sides negotiated. 6 months have passed and today the press BERT's new boss asked how the negotiations are going.
Andre Carrillo - National Coordinator, BERT
"We are not a 100 percent at a resolution regarding the negotiation but we are close to that resolution. We are hoping that within the few short weeks coming up and after the completion of the budget, that we can sign an MOU with the government of Belize."
Reporter
"What would you expect to see in that MOU though? How have the negotiations been going, in fact will it be favorable or optimal for BERT?"
Andre Carrillo - National Coordinator, BERT
"Right now the current agreement that we have with them is favorable for BERT. We believe we can make it work for the long term for the future of BERT, really the vision we have is to seek this kind of model expand to the rest of the country. The rest of the country deserves it. As you can see today, we had adequate resources to respond to mass casualties today. We would like to see this roll out to the rest of the country and roll out very soon. So, that is the kind of support that we are looking for the future. My goal is to see BERT expand beyond the Belize District. We do standby services for the rest of the country, every now and then. My goal is to see the ambulance service expand to the rest of the districts."
Reporter
"Where do you come across from?"
Andre Carrillo - National Coordinator, BERT
"From Orange Walk"
Reporter
"Ok but..."
Andre Carrillo - National Coordinator, BERT
"Previously I was a business banker."
Carrillo's vision is for BERT to expand beyond its current jurisdiction of the Belize District.
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