The Social Partners of Belize have formally requested information regarding the government’s decision to relocate a new tertiary hospital and purchase land at a reported cost of $6.9 million.
They submitted letters to both Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard and Minister of Natural Resources Cordel Hyde under the Belize Freedom of Information Act.
In the letter to the Health Minister, the Social Partners, which include the Belize Chamber of Commerce and Industry (BCCI), the Belize Network of NGOs (BNN), the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (NTUCB), and the Belize Council of Churches, request a copy of the technical report and meeting minutes related to the hospital’s relocation.
The letter refers to a government press release dated August 14, 2024, which cited a “technical report and a presentation on the merits of the relocation by technocrats from the Ministry of Health and Wellness” as the basis for moving the hospital from the University of Belize campus in Belmopan. The Social Partners insist that “obtaining a comprehensive understanding of the feasibility study” will enhance transparency and allow them to provide feedback on the project’s execution.
Their letter to Minister Hyde outlines additional requests for documents related to the land purchase, in cluding a copy of the request for de-reservation of funds, payment documentation, the sales agreement between the government and the seller, and the valuation report for Parcels 5624 and 11214. The group stressed the importance of these documents for “transparency and accountability” and to ensure that public funds are being used effectively. The Social Partners urged that the matter be treated with urgency, reminding the government of the timeline stipulated in Section 16 of the Freedom of Information Act.
The Social Partners have been critical of both the hospital’s relocation and the associated land purchase.
Last month, Business Senator Kevin Herrera, speaking then with The Reporter, raised concerns about the government’s decision to shift the hospital from the UB campus without parliamentary approval, as required by the original loan motion.
The original motion that was approved specifically designated the UB campus as the hospital’s location. Additionally, Herrera questioned the financial rationale behind purchasing land at a price of $460,000 per acre, far exceeding market value.
Land activist Nigel Petillo had also voiced opposition to the government’s actions, and planned and executed a protest against the purchase last month. Petillo cited concerns about the land’s suitability for hospital construction, stating that experts have warned of potential flooding risks. He also questioned why the government moved forward with the purchase despite opposition from various stakeholders.
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