MEDICAL CONGRESS UNDERWAY

October 25, 2007

Medical Practitioners and Health Care providers are gathering at the Radisson Fort Hotel for the next three days in honor of the 25^th anniversary of the Belize Medical and Dental Association (BMDA). As a part of their celebration the BMDA is hosting a 3 day congress in an effort to share improvements in the Health service in Belize and to chart the way forward. Founder of the BMDA, Amin Hegar was the guest speaker at the opening ceremonies held this morning.

Vice President of the BMDA, Dr. Beatrice Thompson, tells us more about the difference in providing medical care compared to 25 years ago when the congress first started.

Dr. Beatrice Thompson,Vice President of the BMDA:

“We have come a long way. What happened is that I think we have developed in Belize both technologically and also in the enhancement of medical knowledge. We have a lot of doctors that we have to train outside and we get our ideas from outside also, and we come from various countries like Guatemala, Cuba, Mexico, USA, Jamaica, and so all these ideas come together and I think we’ve treated our Belizean patients somewhat better due to technology and due to the advancement of medical knowledge. We’ve learnt a lot and we’ve treated our parents differently from twenty-five years ago.”

We asked Thompson about some of the improvements that they hope to achieve in the near future.

Dr. Beatrice Thompson,Vice President of the BMDA:

“Right now we’d like to say that the Ministry of Health gives us more power over the health care system with us being the ones controlling the health care system in the future, and also that we be the ones doing some of the policies with the administrative people but with us having an input in it as well. It’s more of a congress for our health care professionals, nurses, doctors, pharmacists, laboratory technicians, etc. everybody is involved in the promotion of health for the Belizeans and so it is a congress for people in Belize and we will learn a lot and we will put it to use to our people here in Belize.”

Minister of Health Hon. Jose Coye was also present at the opening ceremony this morning. In his address to the congress Minister Coye challenged the BMDA to continue in their effort to educate themselves in an effort to keep up with medical advances around us. Minister Coye today offered the BMDA a piece of land in the compound of the old Nursing School to construct the long needed office to better serve the association and those needing the assistance. The three day congress is being held under the theme, “Team Work, Medical Ethics and Improved Medical Knowledge for a Healthier Belize”.

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