KHMH Workers union says hospital in crisis: ‘Will strike if necessary to get critical supplies’

Published by BBNTEAM at October 26, 2022

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Posted: Wednesday, October 26, 2022. 12:04 pm CST.

By Benjamin Flowers: The Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Workers Union (KHMHWU) says that conditions at the hospital have become critical and its members are prepared to engage in strike action, if necessary, to get much-needed supplies and equipment.

The KHMHWU held a press conference in Belize City this morning to explain that the hospital has run out of basic medical supplies needed to deliver healthcare to patients such as gloves, surgical tape, and painkillers. Additionally, the hospital infrastructure has reached a point where the leaky roof has become a potential health hazard to patients.

President of the KHMHWU Andrew Baird said that the union has engaged the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and even wrote a letter to Prime Minister John Briceño, detailing the severity of the situation and asking for a meeting to discuss the issues. Baird said that the Minister of Health and wellness, Kevin Bernard, has rescheduled their meeting twice, while the situation within the hospital continues to worsen.

“One of these days we will be reporting to the media that the roof collapsed on a patient and killed them,” Baird said. “Do we have to wait until it gets to that point?”

Bair said that the union had a discussion yesterday with its membership in terms of how far they are willing to go and maintains that decisions are being guided by the Essential Services Act.

“We are in preparation of our 21 days notice [of industrial action], if this persists. We are in preparation of writing a letter of our dispute to the labour minister,” Baird said.

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