Ambergris Hope Hospital Ushers in a New Era for San Pedro’s Healthcare

In a momentous event over the weekend, San Pedro witnessed the grand inauguration of Ambergris Hope Hospital, marking a historic achievement as the island’s first-ever 24-hour private hospital. The community, which had long yearned for such a facility, finally saw its prayers answered and hopes realized as the doors of the hospital officially swung open during the weekend’s inaugural celebrations.

While Ambergris Hope Hospital quietly commenced operations around December last year, its impact on the community has been nothing short of extraordinary. The hospital has proven to be a beacon of hope, offering a range of new and essential services crucial for the well-being of San Pedro’s growing population.

• Dr. Julio Lara is resident dentist at Ambergris Hope Hospital

• Examination rooms for X-ray and gynecology

This healthcare institution is not only a significant addition to San Pedro but is also rewriting the healthcare narrative for Ambergris Caye with a list of groundbreaking ‘Firsts’ for the island. Foremost among these is the distinction of being the first 24-hour service hospital on the island, ensuring continuous access to medical care for residents and visitors alike. The list of pioneering services doesn’t end there:

• First Operating Theater
• First CT Scan
• First High-Definition Ultrasound
• First Private Health Center with a variety of specialized doctors
• First Pediatrician
• First Surgeon
• First General and Laparoscopic Surgeries

The hospital’s commitment to round-the-clock healthcare is further emphasized by being the first to offer overnight hospitalization services on demand, providing personalized patient care and observation. Additionally, it boasts the island’s first 24-hour emergency services, laboratory, and pharmacy, ensuring comprehensive medical assistance is always within reach.

• CT Scan technician shows recent scans of a patient who had a fractured nose

• The hospital boasts a large, state-of-the-art operating theater with adjacent recovery room and access to private rooms for further patient care and monitoring

Dr. Danny’s Vision Comes to Life

The realization of Ambergris Hope Hospital is a testament to the vision of Dr. Daniel Gonzalez. Formerly running a private practice as a general doctor and OBGYN, Dr. Danny, as he is affectionately known, dreamt of a healthcare facility that could cater to the diverse needs of the community. With the collaboration of esteemed colleagues, Dr. Irvin Gabourel (Gastroenterologist) and Dr. Jorge Hidalgo (Internist, Intensivist), along with Dr. Bernabe Carillo (Radiologist), Ambergris Hopes Clinic evolved into the state-of-the-art healthcare haven that is Ambergris Hope Hospital.

The doctor trio bring with them their resources, connections, ingenuity, finance, expertise and experience that made Dr. Danny’s dream a reality. Island residents will no longer need to stretch their finances to travel to the city and neighboring Mexico for medical assistance; it can all be done on the island with the convenience of staying home.

Inaugural Celebration

The hospital’s inaugural celebration was a momentous occasion featuring speeches by the founders and esteemed government ministers, including Hon. Anthony Mahler and San Pedro Mayor Wally Nunez, who alongside Dr. Danny, had the honor of cutting the ribbon to officially open the hospital. Guests were treated to a guided tour of the facilities, followed by a delightful evening of food, music, and celebration, marking the beginning of a new era in San Pedro’s healthcare landscape.