British High Commission, PAHO/WHO, and the Ministry of Health and Wellness hold ceremony to handover and celebrate the Palm View Center in Belmopan, Belize becoming a Smart Health Facility

Palm View Center is one of five (5) health facilities in Belize selected to be retrofitted to become a safer and greener facility. A ‘smart’ facility is a facility that can deliver care effectively and efficiently during disasters, generate operational savings and reduce disaster losses.

“There are more than 67% of hospitals in the Caribbean and Latin America that are considered located in high-risk disaster areas,” said Dr. Noreen Jack, PAHO/WHO Representative in Belize. “As one of the countries in the region that are prone to natural hazards and disasters, it is crucial for the health facilities in Belize to be able to deliver care and protect its staff and patients during emergencies. This COVID-19 pandemic has shown us the importance of emergency and disaster preparedness, and through this partnership with FCDO, we can strengthen five of Belize’s health facilities throughout the country.”

Despite the challenges brought on by the COVID-19 pandemic, the retrofitting works for Palm View Center commenced last year October 2020 with the assistance of Guerra’s Construction Ltd, the contractor for the retrofitting works, and Gutierrez and Associates Architects who assisted in the Design and Inspection. To improve overall safety, functionality and sustainability, the scopes are work included interior works and repairs, bathroom improvements and extension to patient bathrooms, doors and windows replacements, repainting of exterior and interior surfaces, construction of a generator building with fuel dyke, construction of water tank structure, water harvesting improvements, electrical improvements, plumbing and drainage improvements, air conditioning services, as well as other site works such as installation of new pipes, fire extinguishers and smoke detectors among others.

“Living in this part of the world, we, and our neighbours, are hit by natural disasters every year and along with our vulnerability to climate change, and the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, the importance of our health services has been highlighted like never before,” said Her Excellency Claire Evans OBE, British High Commissioner. “It has shown how the right functional support structures and layouts can really help, or if not right, can hinder the amazing work being delivered by so many wonderful health care professionals, and all those who work to support their efforts. The SMART health care facilities programme, supported by the UK and delivered in partnership with PAHO, with support from the Government of Belize is another example of the UK’s commitment to helping vulnerable communities to guard and protect their resources against future storms, disasters and the increased risk from Climate Change.”

The Smart Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project is a £43.8m project currently being implemented in seven (7) countries – Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Guyana, Jamaica, and Belize. The project aims to increase protection from disasters and climate change for several health facilities in the project countries where work on vulnerability reduction and climate resilience improvement in health facilities will be made. Along with the Palm View Center, the other selected health facilities in Belize include San Ignacio Community Hospital, Independence Polyclinic, Isabel Palma Polyclinic, and Cleopatra White Polyclinic.

The Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Michel Chebat, expressed his appreciation of this facility retrofitting because it is in line with this Government's commitment as it continues to strengthen the commitment in health which includes physical, mental and social well-being.

Facility Administrator, Ms. Dianelie Cabral, also gave her thanks and appreciation to the pioneers of the project who made this huge success a reality, but also to the staff of the Palm View Center who relentlessly deliver their utmost labor and services to the health facility on a daily basis.

PAHO/WHO continues to stay committed to collaborating with partners like the UK FCDO to support the country and the Ministry of Health and Wellness in the strengthening of Belize’s overall health system especially its health facilities in providing the best care while being environmentally sound.  

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

PALM VIEW CENTER SCOPE OF WORK SUMMARY

INTERIOR WORKS:

• Remodeling of administration area to improve function
• Replace floor tiles
• Repair water damage sheetrock wall
• Repair water damage ceiling
• Repair courtyard ceiling
• Install new cabinetry in consultation rooms, conference room, food storage and new stainless steel kitchen counter/top cabinet
• Nurse station area remodeling works

PATIENTS BATHROOM IMPROVEMENT AND EXTENSION:

• Extension and remodeling of patient restrooms
• Install water-efficient plumbing fixtures
• Improve shower and toilet cubicle complete with adequate handicap access and accessories
• Install new wash hand basins complete with tile-concrete countertop
• Construct outdoor courtyard bathroom facility for patients

REPAIR WORKS:

• Concrete wall crack repair works interior and exterior surfaces
• Column and beam crack repair works
• Concrete roof slab crack repair works
• Replace roofing screws, metal flashing, repair damaged fascia board, pressure wash entire roof structure and apply roof sealant to entire roof

WINDOWS AND DOORS:

• Replace window in administration area only and refurbish existing metal louver windows
• Replace all doors

PAINTING:

• Pressure wash of exterior surfaces and repaint
• Re-paint all interior surfaces with hospital-grade paint

GENERATOR BUILDING:

• Construct generator Building complete with fuel dyke

WATER TANK STRUCTURE, CISTERN AND PUMP HUT:

• Construct elevated water tank and pump equipment’s storage structure
• Construct in-ground concrete water cistern structure. (15,000 gals)

WATER HARVESTING IMPROVEMENTS:

• Concrete water cistern with connection to roof drains
• Installation of – 3,500 gals. rotoplas water tank – elevated
• Installation of new water supply system. Includes new water pumps, pressure tanks and water filtration system
• Installation of a simple first flush diverter system connected to roof drain line

ELECTRICAL IMPROVEMENTS:

• Installation of new 3 phase panels and sub panels
• Replacing of all electrical wirings, outlets, switches and data wiring
• Replace all light fixtures to LED type light fixtures
• Installation of PV system connected to lighting panel only
• Install back-up generator (50KW) complete with ATS, MDP panel and fuel storage tank (1000GAL)
• Install new wall mounted fans in patient’s room
• Install LED / solar compound lighting, replace mounting structure
• Upgrade electrical service entrance – BEL power supply

PLUMBING AND DRAINAGE IMPROVEMENTS:

• Install Low volume water consumption type EPA water sense plumbing fixtures
• Install new water supply lines, solid and liquid waste line
• Install solar water heater and connect to existing hot water supply line
• Install new septic tank and leach field
• Pump out - cleanout existing septic tank

AIR CONDITIONING:

• Service existing inverter type AC split units, secure and concealed supply/drain lines
• Remove all non-inverter type AC split unit
• Install new Inverter type AC ductless mini-split unit
• Install ducted 12,000 BTU ceiling unit for reception room

SITE WORKS:

• Install new downspout pipes
• Re-shape existing compound main drains
• Compound leveling and landscaping around building and front parking area.
• Gravel filling parking area
• Improve chain link - fencing in courtyard area
• Improve courtyard drains

MISCELLANEOUS ITEMS:

• Install fire extinguishers and smoke detectors
• Install PA system at new nurse station
• Install medication dispensary window at nurse station
• Run new butane line to kitchen
• Install additional bathroom for administration staff
• Install shower control valve – accessible by staff only