This morning the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital received a container loaded with more than half a million dollars worth of medical equipment and supplies. It includes laparoscopic equipment and supplies and surgical power drills. The donation was from Project CURE and was secured by first lady Kim Simplis-Barrow. She told us how she did it while the KHMH’s CEO Francis Longsworth told us how they’ll use it.
Kim Simplis-Barrow, First Lady
“Last year Project CURE extended an invitation to myself to give an address at a luncheon in Phoenix Arizona and we were able to raise approximately $2 million in equipment and supplies to Belize, to the hospitals.”
Dr. Francis Longsworth, CEO – KHMH
“We’re receiving a range of medical supplies and equipment, including operating theatre equipment, laparoscopic surgical equipment, intensive care supplies, laboratory supplies, and general patient and housekeeping supplies for the hospital as well.”
Keith Swift,
How needed are these supplies?
Dr. Francis Longsworth,
“Very much so. we use supplies at a high rate. We have a high patient turnover, we deal with difficult cases on a daily basis so all of these supplies are much in demand.”
Kim Simplis-Barrow,
“Each hospital put in their list of specific requirements that they needed, specific equipment that they needed at each hospital. So really this is really good because the hospital is getting equipment that they don’t need or they don’t want or they can’t use. We made sure that each piece of equipment is in usable condition and that it will be put to good use.”
Dr. Francis Longsworth,
“In particular the laparoscopic equipment will enable us to offer a much wider range of services in several specialties, including obstetrics and gynaecology, general surgery, and so on.”
Keith Swift,
Would the Ministry of Health have been able to purchase these equipments and supplies?
Dr. Peter Allen, CEO – Ministry of Health
“It would have taken us some time. I think the approximate value of these supplies and equipment is about $600,000. Obviously we have a budget at the hospital for equipment and supplies but this would be additional to that budget. There is another container that Project CURE has also put together. Basically the First Lady asked for the assistance and then asked our hospital administrators to say what it is they actually need, they really need and then we sent that list to Project CURE and they’ve sourced the items and equipment wherever they can. The next container is scheduled to provide supplies and equipment mainly for the western health region, including the new hospital which we intend to open before the end of June in San Ignacio.”
Again another container with an additional half a million dollars in supplies and equipment arrives in the country shortly.
