MOHW Investigates Threatening Behaviour Towards Southern Regional Hospital Staff

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is investigating reports of a violent incident at the Southern Regional Hospital on the night of July 14, 2024. As News 5 reported, two traffic accident victims were brought to the Southern Regional Hospital, where nurses quickly secured them inside and locked the door to prevent crowding. Despite this, people attempted to force entry, leading to a police call after midnight. The injured were transferred to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital without a security escort. Staff received threats from those trying to enter the emergency room.

According to the MOHW’s findings, the staff at the Accident and Emergency Unit of Southern Regional Hospital faced violent behaviour from individuals claiming to be friends or relatives of road traffic accident victims who were brought in for medical attention around 10:54 p.m.

Approximately thirty minutes after the victims’ arrival, their friends or relatives forced their way into the triage area and attempted to enter the Emergency Department. In response, the A&E doors were closed to allow staff to provide the necessary care without interruptions.

A female voice was then heard threatening to break down the door if access was not granted, accompanied by loud banging. Security personnel at the hospital attempted to defuse the situation but were unsuccessful, leading to police intervention.

In its release, the minister condemned this aggressive and threatening behaviour, emphasising that such actions hinder medical staff from performing their duties effectively. The Ministry stressed that medical emergencies require staff to have adequate space and privacy to provide life-saving care and that any obstruction or threat to medical personnel is unacceptable.

The public is reminded that it is an offence under the Criminal Code, CAP 101 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2020, to threaten or obstruct a public officer in the execution of their duties.