BELIZE CITY, Wed. Feb. 3, 2021– This week the CEO of the KHMH Authority, Michelle Hoare, spoke with the media concerning a new charge now being seen by patients on their hospital bills. CEO Hoare said that the hospital has no choice but to have its patients bear the cost of those PPEs (personal protective equipment) kits used daily by healthcare professionals, since not all of the PPE’s being used were given to the hospital as donations.
Hoare said that the decision, although not ideal for the public, is a cost-saving measure that is necessary for the hospital so that it can continue to provide effective tertiary level services during the pandemic. The CEO outlined that at this time, each healthcare professional at the hospital uses, on average, 3 kits of PPE’s during each 12-hour shift. This amounts to 6 kits of PPE’s every day — a cost the hospital says would be unbearable without this new charge.
The CEO gave a breakdown of the cost of these kits of life-saving protective equipment during an interview with News5’s Isani Cayetano: “Each twenty-four hours is divided into two twelve-hour shifts, and by standard, we have changes for PPE’s, at least three changes per shift. Now when we talk about PPE’s, we are talking about a kit that is prepared. Before the staff member actually goes into the unit, a kit is prepared [and] in that kit, it comprises or it includes a full-bodysuit with the hood, goggles, N95 mask, two pairs of gloves, boots. So it’s a kit that is prepared and the staff member would pull a kit.” CEO Hoare explained.
She also emphasized that while the hospital understands the plight of the public at this time, the KHMH has no other choice but to impose the charges. “We would hope that, and we would want that patients don’t have to bear the costs of these types of service, but it’s not the reality. If the ministry decides that they want to provide this particular service free of charge or the supplies associated with it, then that would have to be a policy decision that comes from the Ministry of Health.” CEO Hoare said in her interview with local media.