Healthcare in Belize: Hospitals and Health Insurance
Healthcare in Belize
With a population of 359,000 in 2015, Belize ranks 179th in the world by population and 153rd by total area. The official language of Belize is English. The currency is the Belizean dollar.
Belize ranks 69th in world health ranking per WHO. In 2014, the total expenditure on health per person was $489, which is 5.8% of the GDP. Belizean males have a life expectancy at birth of 68 years, and females can expect to live 73 years. There are .83 physicians per 1,000 people in Belize as compared to 2.56 physicians per 1,000 people in the United States.
Hospitals in Belize
Belize has 8 public hospitals, operated and funded by the government. The majority of funding goes to the largest, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, located in Belize City. The other 7 are spread throughout the country, with one located in the capital city of each district.
There are also 60 public clinics (700 beds) that provide primary and dental care to rural areas. These public facilities suffer lack of staffing, resources, equipment, medication, and supplies, all of which creates access issues for patients.
The private sector has 3 hospitals (1 non-profit, 2 for-profit) with 300 beds total, in addition to 54 clinics (4 non-profit and 50 for-profit). While the government does not regulate these like the public facilities, with private insurance the cost is reasonable for those seeking tertiary care and imaging.
Health Insurance in Belize
Belize has National Health Insurance (NHI) for legal residents. Employees and employers make mandatory contributions to the Social Security Board in order to fund NHI. The government has also implemented the Belize Health Information System (BHIS) to help with information sharing and efficiency in care. About 15 % of the population also purchase private health insurance.
Travel (International) Health Insurance in Belize
Travel, or international, health insurance provides comprehensive medical coverage when traveling outside of one’s home country. Travel health insurance is different from travel insurance, as the latter may provide only emergency coverage but not full medical coverage.
Travelers should check with their health insurance provider, as they may already have an option of international health coverage. If they do not, they can purchase travel health insurance from their home country or the destination country.
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