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Corozal Community Hospital
Under the UDP government and Corozal Bay Area Representive, Hon. Pablo Marin,
Minister of Health, the Corozal Community Hospital is becoming a place
where citizens of the district can feel comfortable and cared for. For over 25
years Nurse Guillermina Heredia practiced in Corozal,then came out of retirement
to function as Deputy Regional Health Manager. She graciously provided most of
the information for this page.
Dr. Nelson Marin, a native of Corozal, took the reins in January, 2009 as Chief of Staff at the
Corozal Hospital. For more information about Dr. Marin,
click here.
Following is a summary of projects and activities of the Corozal Hospital:
- The hospital has been upgraded with painting, improved emergency room and maternity ward.
- The Ministry of Health has signed a Border Agreement with the Mexican health authorities, represented by Dr. Juan Carlos Azueta, Secretary of Health and the Director General of of Health Services of the State of Quintana Roo. Under this agreement, Belize will receive assistance, if needed, the areas of HIV/AIDS, Vector control for dengue and malaria, and nutrition. This includes the issues as related to reproductive health.
- The agreement mentioned above resulted in a Health Fair held in at the Civic Center in Corozal November 28 and 29, 2008. Thirty-five doctors, nurses, and technicians from Mexico working along with Belizeans provided a a wide range of services from mobile clinics for dental services, eye examinations, medical examinations, pap smears, as well as providing free medications. The Belize Red Cross, the Belize Family Life Association, and the Belize Council for the Visually Impaired worked along with the Ministry of Health to show Belizeans how a healthy life-style can help them avoid diseases like hypertension, HIV infections, high blood pressure, diabetes, and cervical cancer.
- In December of 2008, the hospital was one of only 3 hospitals in the country to achieve the status of Baby Friendly.
- Integrated mobile health services have been instituted to provide to villages services in laboratory tests, dental, dengue and malaria vector control, pharmacology, maternal and child health, immunization, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, mental health, and over all health education.
- Many inservice training sessions have occurred, including EMT training provided by BERT. for all hospital personnel, including the medical staff, support staff, and administrative staff. Read about BERT here.
- On 12 March, 2009, there was a ribbon cutting at the Corozal Hospital for the inauguration of equipment, an ultra-sound, an x-ray, and a bone density machine.
- The Mexican health personnel have been very helpful in the 2009 outbreak of dengue in the country, providing spraying, surveying, and diagnostic and preventive education. Details can be found on the Ministry of Health website here.
- Hon. Pablo Marin, Minister of Health and Corozal Bay Representative, assisted in bringing in duty free in July 0f 2009, equipment that Larry Smith of the Red Cross estimates to be worth approximately $176,00 BZ. The supplies were donated through the efforts of Phyl Mason of Edmonton, Canada. This equipment is being made into trauma kits to be used by the police, the fire department, a triage team, the villages, and the hospital. There is a collaborative effort from the Ministry of Health, the BDF, and the Red Cross to provide Mass Casualty Training for those using the kits. Training will be for ambulance drivers, nurses, security guards, attendants, fire-fighters, the transport department, and the police. Serenity Sands, instrumental in getting these supplies into the country, will be the venue for the training. It is being coordinated by Dr. Elfryn Reyes of the BDF.