And for every patient that goes into the COVID unit - whether they make it out or not - it's a hefty cost to the KHMH. And that compounded with all the other outstanding bills they have from past patients, has put the KHMH in an acute financial crunch. And GOB's debt to the hospital isn't helping. The government reportedly owes the hospital about $500,000 for the money the KHMH used to renovate the COVID unit. We asked the prime minister - who doubles as the minister of finance - about this.
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I was not aware or it but we have been doing everything we possibly can to be able to keep the Karl Heusner going, the expenses have ballooned the Karl Heunser because of COVID as what the minister pointed out to us, the Karl Heusner it cost us over $60,000 to keep on person incubate din the ICU so we're spending a lot of money and people don't understand this that's why we continue to appeal to people, get vaccinated. As to the $500,000 that we supposedly owe, if that's what we owe then we'll have to find the money to try and reimburse them."
Reporter:
"The cost to poor people to be hospitalized at the KHMH, it is really high, I got a bill of over $7,000 being there just over a week, I will have to pay, there are people in less fortunate situations than I am who will survive COVID but will have to go the hospital, is the government looking at this?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Yes but let's put things into perspective if you had gone to a private hospital, your bill would probably be a $100,00, I know some people are telling me when they go to the private hospital, they pay $20,000 a day which I think is out of control so we're doing everything we possible can to keep down the cost."
