Earlier on in the meeting, Opposition Leader "Shyne" Barrow was given his opportunity to pose questions to Ministers. He asked Health Minister Kevin Bernard to confirm whether or not Northern Medical Plaza, got a contract from the National Health Insurance program to provide health services for residents of Chunox Village in Corozal. It's an important matter because the Chairman of NHI has shares in Northern Medical Plaza.
In his answer to this question, the Health Minister insisted that the NHI Chairman recused himself from the decision making process:
Hon. Shyne Barrow, Leader the Opposition
"Will the Minister of Health and Wellness say please tell this Honorable House of a contract for NHI services have been given to the private entity Northern Medical in which the Chairman of NHI has shares, and is this private entity operating at the GOB Chunox Polyclinic at a cost to the taxpayers?"
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"NHI did sign a contract with the Northern Medical Polyclinic to provide a service to the community of Chunox, valuable services to eight thousand Belizeans who were refused access to quality health care under the UDP. Because he does not know how NHI works, let me say that NHI has similar contracts with Belize Medical Associates, Belize Healthcare Partners, BFLA, and the Mercy Clinic. This is how NHO works, member for Mesop. It is a public and private partnership which allows healthcare to be provided on a much wider scale for a fraction of the cost. There is in fact opposition representation on the National Health Insurance Policy Committee and that UDP representative Dr. Angel Campos who is well acquainted with how NHI works because he was minister of state in the ministry of health, wholeheartedly endorse the selection of Northern Medical Plaza. Because a member of the National Health Insurance Committee has interest in Northern Medical Plaza, he was barred completely from the selection process conducted without his participation and in his absence."
