Opposition to government's decision to acquire the Universal Hospital and pump $15 million into the bankrupt hospital continues to grow within the public healthcare system. For the first time today - the doctors say they are considering possible industrial action against government. Phase one was implemented today when staff began wearing black ribbons. Dr. Beatrice Thompson explained to us the reasons for the ribbons. We also spoke to PSU president Dylan Reneau.
Dr. Beatrice Thompson,
"The black ribbon signifies that we are mourning the death of the healthcare system of Belize. What that means is that because we haven't gotten any maintenance, or the healthcare system of Belize hasn't been maintained it is going down, spiraling down yet the government of Belize has money or land or whatever to build a private enterprises such as Universal Health Services. That is what we are mourning and that is what the black bow signifies, that we want solidarity - we want everybody in the public to wear a black bow to be in solidarity with us, that this cannot happen and we are sending a message to Belmopan that I don't think we should make it happen."
Keith Swift,
What are you going to do to get this message across to government?
Dr. Beatrice Thompson,
"Well we've started with the black bow already and hopefully we are going to go on the air telling the people, sensitizing them as to what actually is happening because out there the public still doesn't know what is happening."
Keith Swift,
Are the doctors contemplating any type of industrial action?
Dr. Beatrice Thompson,
"That will come afterwards."
Keith Swift,
It appears that government has already made up their minds, could this lead to a confrontation between the unions and government once again?
Dylan Reneau, PSU President
"It is obvious that it will be, it can degenerate to a confrontation because we believe that the public health care system, health is a right, a universal right, and we are not going to stand idly by to allow this government to let it degenerate to something where the people of Belize cannot get adequate healthcare."
The Belize Medical and Dental Union this week resigned from the KHMH-Universal Task Force. They were invited back by Health Minister Joe Coye.
