Scenes from the street in Belize City: a fisherman in his boat at the fish market (left); a fruit stand (right).

Last week, I went with a group of women to Belize City, because one of the women needed a mammogram. For diagnostic tests more complex than an x-ray, such as MRIs, CT scans, or mammograms, patients have to go to a private hospital in Belize City and pay out-of-pocket.

While in Belize City, I went to the public hospital there to see an 18-year-old girl who had been in a motorcycle accident and needed a bone graft, who might benefit from a telemed consult. I was stunned to see that on the entire surgical ward, there was one single container of soap.

In Belize City, we took the opportunity to do

some shopping for things we don't have in the southern part of Belize. I bought luxuries such as chocolate and cheese. And, I bought a used car, for Intervol's use (and my use, while I'm here). Now I can drive to the hospital with AC, without showing up like a drowned rat (see previous post for details)!

Interestingly, there is a significant Mennonite community in Belize. In the photo at right, 2 Mennonite men hauling batteries, of all things.

--Tina