What has our Health System Come to?

Dear Editor,

The health issue in this country is in crisis, and it seems, the Government is unable to cope with this problem as it has been unable to do with Crime. Are they going to wait until the health problems reach unmanageable proportions as the Crime has?

Today, the Ministry of Health (MOH) boasts about buying one ultrasound here and there and other flimsy equipment to be able to have a photo opportunity for the Minister. In the meantime though the focus on preventative medicine and primary health has been forgotten and people are suffering from dengue, malaria, and other communicable diseases. In addition the chronic diseases are not being managed at the primary level; hence Belizeans continue to suffer unnecessarily because of this.

Belizeans going to the public clinics and hospitals today are met with the experience of having to find monies to buy the medication prescribed by the doctors as these public institutions are grossly lacking medications and other vital hospital equipment to treat patients.  Many patients just have to turn back and go home with only the prescriptions as they cannot afford to buy the medications prescribed.

It is unacceptable that our Government does not understand the value of having a healthy population.  Daily we see how government expenditure is done giving priority to less important sectors and health is left on the way side.  It is unconscionable that the government can find monies to buy expensive and luxurious vehicles for its Ministers and cronies but it can’t find monies to spray the neighbourhoods to eradicate the mosquitoes that are unbearable these days.  We see no concerted effort from the public sector to engage in a campaign to ensure Belizeans know of the symptoms and treatment of malaria and dengue.

As someone in the health system mentioned the other day; the MOH is like a boat without a rudder, it lacks vision and direction.  When are we going to address our health issues? When it’s too late?  When it’s beyond repair as is the issue of Crime?

Sincerely,

Lionel Jackson

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