For many people with heart rhythm problems, pacemakers can mean the difference between life and death. But for a number of reasons, cost not the least of them - getting a pacemaker in Belize is if not impossible, then at least very difficult. And that's why a team of doctors from St. Louis came to Belize every year. They are led by cardiologist Dr. David Morton. His Belizean counterpart is fellow cardiologist, Dr. Curtis Samuels.
Dr. Curtis Samuels, Cardiologist
"When we heard of patients gaining access to free pacemakers we jumped at the chance because a pacemaker will run you between twelve to twenty thousand dollars Belize. The need for pacemakers could be because your heart is beating too slowly or it could be because your heart is beating too fast. Most of the time, say 80% of the time it is because the heart is beating too slowly so basically we find this in patients who are elderly, above 65 years of age though there are some children who are actually born with conditions requiring pacemakers."
Dr. David Morton, Cardiologist
"They originally had set up twelve patients who needed pacemakers and so far we have identified five of them so we still have a few more to see and we will be here for the rest of the week seeing patients throughout the week both here at KHMH and also at Mercy Clinic. I enjoy coming to the Caribbean. I like to come down here and scuba dive and sail and have done for some time so it is my way to give something back to the Caribbean for the enjoyment that I get from coming down here."
