Residents of San Pedro Town gathered at the Lion’s Den today, January 11, 2023, to witness the historic signing of a memorandum of understanding between the governments of Belize and Taiwan for the construction of the San Pedro General Hospital. The $33Mil needed to construct the hospital will be a grant and not a loan from the Government of Taiwan. The momentous occasion is another testament to 34 years of bilateral relations between the two countries and Taiwan’s continued commitment to the betterment of Belize.
“This is not a gift, but something that is owed to the people of San Pedro,” commented Kennedy Carilllo, CEO to the Ministry of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation. She reiterated what all the speakers at the event were in agreement, that San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, should have had its own hospital a long time ago as the premier tourist destination and one of the most populated areas in the country.
“There is a need for improved access to care beyond primary health care that we have been offering in San Pedro to one that can provide secondary health care services,” stated Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister of Belie. “Building a hospital for San Pedro, was a dream of Hon. Andre Perez, and his dream became a commitment by our government and was laid down as part of our Plan Belize Health Policy.”
Hon. Briceno stated that his government has been working tirelessly to realize this ambitions project with the help of a team of experts; analyzing data, met with health teams on the ground and collaborated with partners in order to ensure the construction of a first-rate hospital.
“Medical care has always troubled residents and tourist on this island,” commented David Kuan-Chou Chien, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan) to Belize. “Taiwan has rich experience of building and management of medical facilities and is will to share it with Belize to better the Belizean people. Therefore we are delighted to work with the Government of Belize to implement the construction project of the San Pedro Hospital. We hope that the hospital can make a big difference for the residents and tourists of San Pedro Town.”
“The health of our people is the wealth of our nation,” commented Hon. Andre Perez, Area Representative Belize Rural South and Minister of Blue Economy and Civil Aviation. “This promise, of a hospital for San Pedro, has been one said for so many years, over and over, especially during elections. Today, our government is making it a reality for the residents of San Pedro.”
Presently, the Dr. Otto Rodriquez San Pedro Poly Clinic is the only poly clinic on the island that provides primary health care and emergency services. The San Pedro General Hospital will be located across from Victoria House Resort, about 1.5 miles south of San Pedro Town; no start of construction date has been announced yet.
