Title: A health plan for the Banana Control Board, Belize, South Stann Creek, Belize, September 5-11, 1987.

POPLINE Document Number: 070603

Author(s):

Raymond SU
Ouilette A

Source citation:

Arlington, Virginia, John Snow, Inc. [JSI], Resources for Child Health Project [REACH], 1987. [3], 55 p. (USAID Contract No. DPE-5927-C-5068-00)

Abstract:

The South Stann Creek area of Belize is experiencing rapid growth in many private industrial sectors. For banana operations alone, acreage is expected to increase 250% over the next 5 years, and associated population will surge from 6155 in 1987, to a total of more than 15,000 in 1991. Given this industrial and worker growth, and current dearth of accessible health services, assessment has been made of the level and nature of health service demand in the banana-growing area, projected cost, and available financing and provision options open to area banana growers. Most growth in service demand will take place between 1989 and 1990. Clinics will therefore be deluged with demand over a relatively short period. commitment should be made to significantly expand both facilities and staff over the next 2 years. To minimize clinic revenue sensitivity, the report suggests developing an areawide multiemployer, prepaid health system by 1989. While recurrent costs may be met internally, start-up capital infusion will be required from outside sources. Potential public and private financing strategies are discussed, as is the future role of the US Agency for International Development in meeting mother-child health equipment needs and providing technical assistance for financial information systems and planning. Given the necessary start-up capital and recurrent cost tracking and revenue maximization, a self-sustaining health system therefore seems technically and financially feasible for the workers and poor population of the South Stann Creek area.

Keywords:

Belize
Technical Report
Delivery of Health Care
Labor Force
Needs
Private Sector
USAID
Population Growth
Economic Development
Health Facility Planning
Central America
Latin America
Americas
Developing Countries
Health
Human Resources
Economic Factors
Macroeconomic Factors
Government Agencies
Organizations
Population Dynamics
Demographic Factors
Population
Health Services Administration
Management
Organization and Administration