Opposition Wants Free COVID Tests for ALL

The Opposition also called for transparency in procuring pharmaceutical supplies, particularly for testing and treatment of COVID-19, as well as free and accessible COVID-19 testing for everyone. Dr Alain Gonzalez, a doctor at KHMH, spoke on this demand from the Opposition. Leader of the Opposition, Patrick Faber criticized the Government’s decision to privatize testing, asserting it is still not affordable for the average Belizean.

Dr. Alain Gonzalez

Dr. Alain Gonzalez, KHMH

“Presently the testing should be free for all individuals, all citizens of Belize, but it is not that way. We realize that many private sectors are doing testing, while this is a costly measure for the public, because not everyone can afford to do testing. The government should have never privatized this testing the way they did. It causes a burden on our public. A testing basically cost about six US. When that comes to Belize it is sold for about maybe forty to fifty Belize dollars. These private companies turn around and charge about a hundred and fifty dollars for testing.”

Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition

“The UDP calls on the Government to make testing free and we absolutely criticize the move by the government to privatize the testing, because apart from it being a hustle, the low cost of the acquisition of these test for what the private hospitals or companies are charging for testing is ridiculous. It is a mockery and the government must arrest it. And, we recognize their efforts, I think it is a Civic Center here and in Belmopan, but that is not enough. Testing must be free everywhere. We should be testing, testing, testing. We must be identifying the cases that are out there. And, we must be isolating and controlling the community spread. There is absolute failure when it comes to addressing the community spread. And we trace that back to the fact that people are not getting tested.”