Karl heusner memorial hospital in belize city
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, Belize City, Belize
“Strengthening Emergency Care in Belize” is a collaborative effort by Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH), Belize Ministry of Health, and the Medical College of Wisconsin (MCW). The original memo of understanding was executed in December 2013 after over three years of dialogue with the principals involved. This program involves training emergency medicine providers (doctors and nurses) from the Accident and Emergency Department (A&E) at KHMH with didactics, bedside teaching, skill labs, and immersive experiences at the MCW campus.
Resources & Environment
KHMH is the only trauma center in Belize. It is the only government-sponsored hospital in the country with access to subspecialists, and it is the main referral hospital for the country. The A&E sees approximately 30,000 patients per year, two-thirds of whom are adults. In the A&E there are 2 critical care rooms, 10 monitored beds, and distinct observation and pediatric sections for a total of approximately 30 beds in the department. The hospital has a medical and surgical intensive care unit, pediatric intensive care unit, and operating rooms in addition to medical, surgical, pediatric, and obstetric wards. Emergency ancillary services include a stat laboratory and radiology department (computed tomography, ultrasound, and plain films).
History
In 2010, the medical leadership of Belize (including the Belize Medical and Dental Association, Belize Ministry of Health, and KHMH administration) contacted Dr. Mark Bruce, American College of Emergency Physicians Lead Ambassador – Belize. This leadership recognized that a high-census, high-acuity emergency medicine practice had been developed at KHMH A&E without trained specialists in emergency medicine (EM); in fact, there was no recognition of the specialty of EM in Belize. The KHMH A&E was largely staffed by physicians who were in transition to other specialty training programs outs
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital
Hospital in Belize City, Belize
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (formerly the Old Belize City Hospital) is the main public hospital in Belize City, Belize. It functions as both the national referral hospital, and the district hospital for Belize District. It is located on Princess Margaret Drive, next to the offices of the Belize Social Security Board. It is publicly owned and operated, and is the main hospital in the area.
Within the city there are seven other public hospitals, including three regional hospitals.
History
The original Old Belize City Hospital was established in 1820.Antoni Gościński worked as a surgeon at the hospital from 1949. The new Belize City Hospital opened its doors on 18 September 1995 and was renamed after Dr. Karl Heusner as a tribute to his lengthy career in medicine and his dedication to the people of Belize, serving the people for 63 years from his clinic. Its total construction costs were roughly BZ$45 million. Facilities on its grounds include the Bliss School of Nursing, the Central Medical Lab, and the Government Eye Clinic.
A scandal arose surrounding KHMH in 2009 when questionable procurement practises regarding pharmaceuticals and other medical supplies came to light, and the government set up a commission of inquiry to investigate. Chairman Ricardo Fabro resigned in the aftermath. In May 2011, Corozal Town businessman Gulab Sharma was named the new chairman. In June 2011, construction work began on its children's intensive care unit. In October 2011, a medical mission from the United States arrived at the hospital to provide specialized treatment, such as cardiac catheterization and podiatry consultations.
Facilities
As the hospital notes: "The KHMH has a capacity of 134 beds, and boast three surgical suits as well as two labor and delivery suits. A 24/7 stat l .