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.
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.
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, 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.
This post was last modified on November 16, 2020 9:14 am
Spider veins are a common cosmetic concern for many people, causing small, visible veins to appear just beneath the surface… Read More
Digital Signage for Hospitals: Streamlining Communication in Hospitals SEO description: The use of digital signage for hospitals transforms the way… Read More
Oxygen is the most critical element for human survival, and in scenarios where oxygen levels are compromised, having access to… Read More
In the world of competitive sports and bodybuilding, serious athletes are always on the lookout for reliable, high-quality supplements to… Read More
Car accidents can change lives, causing long-term injuries that affect physical health, finances, and emotional well-being. Recognizing these effects is… Read More
Traumatic brain injury (TBI) is a serious condition that can result from various forms of negligence, such as car accidents,… Read More
It sucks to be on a tight budget. You have to pick and choose what you buy at the grocery… Read More
We’ve all laid in bed tossing and turning, not being able to sleep. But what if this is happening to… Read More
Addiction can profoundly impact every aspect of an individual’s life, from their physical health to their relationships, career, and spiritual… Read More
The mental health landscape for teenagers is increasingly concerning. Adolescence is a period fraught with changes—physically, emotionally, and socially—that can… Read More