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About 9 months ago, the PUP launched its education reform campaign as part of the party's national strategy to convince the public that they have solutions for the problems in education. Well today, just in time for the election, the party rolled out its Health Policy, which seeks to address the problems in the health system.

Doing the unveiling were PUP Leader Francis Fonseca, and two Doctor candidates, Francis Smith, and Lesbia Guerra, the candidates for Pickstock and Cayo West, respectively. This morning, party supporters packed Independence Hall where Fonseca was the first to take the podium:

Francis Fonseca - Leader, PUP

"Fundamental to healthy livings for all Belizeans are the basic programmes of development that are central to the plan of action of the next PUP government. Good paying jobs, equitable distribution of house lots and farm. Safe neighbourhoods, clean drinking water. Nutritious school lunches for our children, access to quality education, decent housing, sports and recreational facilities and an efficient and reliable public transportation system."

Dr. Francis Smith - PUP Candidate, Pickstock

"You cannot have the government for instance or the ministry of health; financing the hospital. You can't have political appointees from the government owning hospitals or owning pharmaceutical companies and being in function of government. Obviously there is a conflict of interest. So what the health reform does is to separate purchasing, financing, regulatory functions. Literally that means, you cannot have the minister directly making decisions on for instance, who will buy drugs. Because I'm sure I don't have to repeat all the scandals that existed."

"The plan is basic, it's not grandiose. It's providing essential medicines, good quality medicine to people. It's taking care of people's simple day to day problems; like diabetes, high blood pressure. Making sure that health care providers are well trained, are courteous. That they treat people with respect, with courtesy; that is what our patience wants."

Dr. Lesbia Guerra Cocom - PUP Candidate, Cayo West

"We recognized that the assignment before us is immence. Our party, the PUP will ensure having adequate equipment in our hospitals and polyclinics; so that all necessary services can be provided according to the level of attention."

The party promises to have digital copies of this health policy up on its web site and social media pages.