On Friday, February 16, 2024, Prime Minister Hon. John Briceño and Mr. James Hsiao, General Manager of the Taiwan Overseas Engineering and Construction Company (OECC), signed a US$16,678,680 contract for the design, construction and equipping of a general hospital for San Pedro Town and Caye Caulker. This project is funded by a grant from the Government of the Republic of China (Taiwan).
The contract signing is in furtherance of the cooperation agreement signed by Belize and the Republic of China (Taiwan) in January 2023 to strengthen both countries’ mutual cooperation. In thanking H.E. Lily Hsu, Ambassador of the Republic of China (Taiwan), for her country’s generous grant, Prime Minister Briceño noted that the hospital will contribute to improved access to health care for the residents of San Pedro and Caye Caulker and will also enhance Belize’s tourism product on the highly visited islands.
In attendance for the signing were Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness; Hon. Andre Perez, Area Representative for Belize Rural South; His Worship Wally Nunez, Mayor of San Pedro Town; Mrs. Narda Garcia, CEO in the Office of the Prime Minister; Mrs. Wen Chou, Counselor at Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan); Mr. Tony Chang, OECC Deputy General Manager; and Mr. Jason Lin, OECC General Manager Assistant.
With this news, island residents are even more excited that the growing town of Ambergris Caye will now have two hospitals. Official inaugural ceremonies for Ambergris Hope Hospital will take place on February 23. The private hospital is already providing much-needed services to residents with 24-hour emergency service, laboratory, pharmacy, general practitioner and medical specialists, and much more. Just recently announced has been the addition of San Pedro’s first CT Scan to the hospital.
