7 News Belize

The PUP Plan For Health
posted (August 26, 2020)
2 weeks ago, we brought you a detailed snapshot of the PUP's education reform plan, the first chapter of its Plan Belize, basically their manifesto for the upcoming election.

Well today, they returned with the second chapter of that plan, which they call Plan Belize Healthcare.

But, since it is currently illegal to host gatherings of more than 10 people under the State of Emergency Regulations, they officially unveiled their plans via a teleconference event, which was carried live on their Facebook page. 7News was tuned in for their presentation, and Daniel Ortiz reports:

Like other manifesto promises voters have heard before, the plan includes attractive concepts such as universal health coverage for all Belizeans.

They propose a massive expansion of the National Health Insurance program.

Hon. John Briceno - Leader of the Opposition
"We present to you today, our solution for fixing this broken health system."

"The Next PUP government commits to providing universal primary healthcare, affordable and free at the point of delivery. Our goal for the complete roll-out of NHI is for every Belizean man, woman and child."

Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez - Chairman, PUP's Health Working Group
"In this policy, primary care for the community based is going to be strengthened. But, also our health services will be restructured and modern technology will be implemented to improve efficiency, and also the quality of healthcare. There is no doubt that with this policy, the accessibility to healthcare, the affordability, but the quality of healthcare is going to improve."

Hon. Orlando Habet - PUP Area Rep., Cayo Northeast
"A PUP government will work to develop an integrated national health system for Belize, where the main goal is universal health coverage for everyone. Because we are committed to excellence in clinical and primary healthcare, we will work with all partners who engage in health services, to rebuild a health system that can be measurable by the outputs and outcomes for whom it is supposed to serve."

"By 2025, Belize aims to achieve universal health coverage, that by 2025, Belize will have quality, essential healthcare services. Before 2025, Belizeans will have access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines and vaccines for everyone."

Hon. Kareem Musa - PUP Area Rep., Caribbean Shores
"This PUP Healthcare Plan Belize is serious stuff, especially as we work with the reality of the COVID crisis. It places the NHI as the backbone of our system, and people at the center of the benefits. This blue plan will bring down the high prices of medication. I believe all residents of Caribbean Shores should get a yearly basic health check-up. A real and urgent NHI roll-out can make a huge impact on our healthcare needs. An amazing feature of the PUP's health plan is for mobile clinics, where healthcare would come to the homes of our most vulnerable. I will advocate strongly for mental health programs and services across Belize."

They are also appealing to frontline workers. The healthcare professionals would have to partner with this theoretical PUP Government in rolling out these proposed healthcare improvements.

Hon. Isabel Bennett - PUP Senator
"Why is an investment in human capital such a high priority for PUP? It's rather simple, the People's United Party is about the empowerment of the healthcare workforce. We empower practitioners by providing training, but also - also - inclusivity in the concept of shared governance and decision-making. So, each category of healthcare professional can rest assured that their voices and concerns will be heard. Their recommendation to improve their working conditions will be implemented, and in turn, our health professionals will provide you with quality healthcare."

"As your government, we will strive to ensure healthy lives, and promote the well-being of all at all ages. We will do this by increasing the training of the largest healthcare providers in the country, our dedicated nurses, and not just train them, but conduct research to closely examine the factors that will enable Belize to recruit, retain, and make allowances of our most valuable assets in healthcare, our nurses."

The PUP's health plan also focuses on improving healthcare access in rural communities.

Hon. Julius Espat - Cayo South
"The People's United Party understands and appreciates the need for a concentrated focus on our rural communities when it pertains to community healthcare. It is important that primary healthcare is addressed at the base. It is important that our villages get access to clinics."

"It is important that our community health workers are there, they are properly equipped, and they are properly financed, so that they can be there to address the issues. How will this help our national health policy? Well, it relieves the stress that is being presently put on the regional hospitals. If you can take care of your foundation, if you can take care of the needs of the people in respective villages, then there will be less need for them to be transferred - for example - in the Cayo District to the Western Regional Hospital, or in the Toledo District to the Southern Regional Hospital."

And who or what will pay for all that?

Hon. John Briceno - Leader of the Opposition
"Now, I know you'll be told by the dissenters that this is unaffordable. That is not true. From the data available, we find over 40 million dollars being badly spent, due mostly to waste and corruption."

"So, we can find ways to better use what is already allocated. And if we get our fair share of the profits from the lottery and Boledo, we can move millions into financing our health program. We can afford to do this. In fact, I say we cannot afford not to do this."

If you would like to see their full, 2-hour presentation, you can find if on the party's official Facebook page.

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