They're already $45 million in the whole for Universal, and last night we told you government was further bankrolling the private hospital and tonight we have the proof.
This Ministry of Finance document shows that from June 15th to Tuesday of this week, which was the 27th NNovember, government has paid a total of $800,000 to Universal as pre-payment for services. The money is deposited into Universal's account at the Belize Bank Account #695-1-1-4687. The document shows that $200,000 was paid in June, $150,000 in mid October, another $150,000 at the end of October and $300,000 two days ago.
Financial Secretary Joe Waight today confirmed that the government is pre-paying for specialized tertiary care which, he admits, also conveniently gives the hospital enough cash flow to keep its doors open. And as Waight explained to us, it's important for Universal to remain open because it is being sold - and the asset has much greater value if it is sold as a going concern - that is, while it is still operational.
But government is paying for more services than are utilized by the Ministry of Health, and Waight confirmed that the hospital has a credit for them. When will it be repaid or will it be repaid at all in services? Waight couldn't say because the sale is being negotiated by members of Cabinet, as he explained to us.
