New Placencia Polyclinic Enhances Healthcare in Belize

Belize City, Belize, May 15, 2024 – The Belize Tourism Board (BTB), in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Heineman-Robicsek Foundation Inc., officially inaugurated the Placencia Polyclinic today in Placencia Village. Situated near the Placencia Airstrip, the new polyclinic aims to offer quality healthcare services to the residents of Placencia Village, Seine Bight and nearby communities, including the increasing numbers of visitors to these destinations.

Funded by the Tourism Development Fund dedicated to the area, alongside BTB’s Industry Development funding, the project marks a significant step in enhancing healthcare accessibility. The construction includes the main building, a laundry and generator room, and external works including a parking lot, security booth, planters and a cemented main entrance road access.  The Polyclinic also includes spaces for consultation rooms, reception and registration areas, waiting rooms, asthma bay, pharmacy, 2 triage rooms, laboratory, shock/trauma rooms and more, in order to be able to provide the highest level of service to patients.  Accompanying the project was a donation handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness of medical equipment and a fully equipped ambulance for exclusive use at this facility. Additionally, the Polyclinic benefits from convenient land, air and sea connectivity, facilitating access for its patients.

At the inauguration ceremony, remarks were delivered by the Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Hon. Anthony Mahler; Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Kevin Bernard; the Area Representative and Minister of Youth, Sports, and Transport, Hon. Rodwell Ferguson. Additionally, remarks were provided by Mrs. Nicole Heath, Executive of the Heineman-Robicsek Foundation (generous donors of medical equipment and the ambulance), and Mr. Warren Garbutt, Chairman of the Placencia Village Council.  Also present were Chairman of the Seine Bight Village Council, Mr. Jose Aleman, and Chairperson of the Placencia BTIA Chapter, Mr. Christopher Rothing.  In his speech, Minister Bernard commended the initiative led by BTB in providing a facility that can serve as a model for modern health care facilities in Belize.

The establishment of the Placencia Polyclinic underscores the BTB’s commitment to enhancing the livelihoods in our key destinations.  Through this project, investing in healthcare infrastructure will not only improve the well-being of local residents but also strengthen the destination’s appeal for tourists, fostering growth in both the social and tourism sectors.