Government Explains Acquisition of Land for New Hospital in Belmopan

The Briceño Administration has issued a release in an attempt to explain the acquisition of land for the new tertiary hospital in Belmopan. According to the release, in April 2023, Cabinet approved the construction of a modern national referral and university hospital for the University of Belize, funded by a US$45 million loan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia through the Saudi Arabia Fund for Development. 

The project was later approved by the House of Representatives on May 19, 2023, and signed into law in June of that year. “On 16th April 2024 Cabinet gave its approval for the relocation of the proposed Belmopan Tertiary Hospital, to a more accessible location near the George Price and Hummingbird Highways.”

According to the release, after a thorough review and technical report from the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Cabinet determined that the original site proposed by the University of Belize was unsuitable for meeting the government’s commitment to universal health coverage. The release says that the original site, 9 kilometres from the George Price Highway, posed several challenges, including circuitous access routes, lack of nearby utilities, the need for additional land purchases, and inconvenient travel for hospital employees. It added that the new site for the hospital offers several advantages, including better road access for patients from western and southern districts, improved access for Belmopan residents using public and private transportation, proximity to the Belmopan Airstrip for easier airlift, enhanced road connectivity, and improved healthcare climate resilience.

Additionally, the site provides extra land for the University of Belize.

The release says that following the decision to relocate, valuations were conducted, and a final price of $6.9 million was agreed upon for 15 acres of roadside land owned by Annie Zhu and Kenny Zheng, which was significantly lower than the initial asking price.