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Health Care in Belize
Health Care in Belize
Belize's health care system isn't up to American or European standards, but there are doctors or clinics in almost every town that can handle minor ailments and most emergencies. Treatment is also inexpensive, with routine visits to the doctor usually costing less than $50. The Belizean government has put a high priority on improving its medical health care facilities, and there is every reason to believe that it will succeed.
Though you could certainly have a broken bone set or a cold attended to at a local clinic in Ambergris or at a hospital in Belize City, for anything more serious you'd be better off in Mexico or the U.S. There are state-of-the art facilities over the border, and health care in Mexico is inexpensive. For serious medical conditions, expats and Belizeans alike often go to physicians in Chetumal, just to the north in the Mexican state of Yucatán, or to Guatemala City or Antigua in neighboring Guatemala. In these cities medical care has a better reputation, and health care fees are often even less than they are in Belize. Doctors who do practice here are first-rate, and many have been trained outside the country, often in the United States.
Expats in Belize also have the option of returning to the U.S. for health care and, in cases of emergency, to rely on evacuation coverage provided by an international health insurance policy. Evacuation coverage is particularly important because an ambulance flight can easily cost $15,000. If you're prone to health problems, you should consider this option. Information on medical services is available from the U.S. Embassy in Belmopan at (501)227-7161, though the embassy staff doesn't recommend doctors.
Officials do, however, urge Americans with existing medical problems to carry a letter from their physician that describes the condition and lists medications, including the generic name of drugs prescribed for the problem. To avoid the possibility of problems with customs officials, always keep medications carried abroad in their original containers that are clearly labeled. It's also important to complete the information page in your passport with the name, address, and telephone number of the person to contact in the event of an emergency.
Pharmacies in Belize are well stocked, and prices for medicines seem comparable to what you'd pay back home.
Health care in Belize in general is extremely affordable--a few dollars for a visit to a doctor's office and about $15 a day for a hospital stay.