University of Belize Board of Governors asks Government to reconsider location of new University Hospital

Published by BBNTEAM at September 12, 2024

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Posted: Thursday, September 12, 2024. 2:21 pm CST.

By Aaron Humes: Following a meeting on Wednesday in Central Farm, Cayo District, the University of Belize’s Board of Governors has agreed to call the Ministry of Health and Wellness to the table and offer an alternative area for the construction of the planned University Hospital.

The University’s previous offer was rejected by the Ministry’s technical team as it was judged too costly to develop in order to make the hospital more accessible to patients from the South and West. It prompted the Government to enter into a land purchase agreement of $6.9 million for two parcels close to the George Price Highway, bought from a Corozal-based Chinese businessman.

Godfrey Smith, Chairman, summarized what had been agreed: “The board discussed the matter of why the UB land was rejected and the board resolved that I should communicate through the appropriate channels to the government that we are prepared to offer an alternative location. And if they are willing to consider that, then we can get into the mechanics of where and when and how, assuming the government is interested. We were recognized, as we discussed in the board, that the ship may have already sailed, but still the board resolved that we should say to the government, offer them the possibility, if they’re interested, to examine an alternative piece of land from the acreages that UB has.”

Pending a positive response from Government, Smith said, “…then we can put together a team to discuss how and when and the mechanics of it. A lot has gone into that. It doesn’t mean, of course, that there will not be continued affiliation between UB and that particular hospital, wherever it is located. But certainly, several board members expressed the view that it would have enhanced the profile of the university if it was [close to] where other aspects of university life occur.” No specific area had been identified, he clarified.

As for other aspects of the purchase, Smith demurred, stating that the role of the most vocally opposed to the purchase, President of the National Trade Union Congress of Belize Luke Martinez, is “to advocate and to be activist. The role of the board is entirely different. We deal simply with macro policies governing the direction that university should take. So we cannot and will not be dragged into the minutiae of politics or controversies…”

Prime Minister John Briceño has previously said that only the landowner changing his mind would sway the Government on locating the University Hospital on the parcels, which are located close to sewage ponds that drain the City of Belmopan. Some have threatened legal action over the purchase, considering that the amount paid is too much in the situation.

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