On April 14th, 26 small three-wheeled motorcycle-type mobiles, widely referred to as Tuk-Tuk (motorized rickshaws) were donated by Dubai, United Arab Emirates to the Government of Belize. Three of the tuk-tuks were sent to Ambergris Caye to be used at the Dr Otto Rodriguez San Pedro PolyClinic II. They have has been on the island for over a month, but the tuk-tuks have still not been put to use. The health facility officials told The San Pedro Sun on May 28th that none of the three mobiles have reached the hands of the administration of the island’s public health facility.
The health support vehicles, as being referred to by the Ministry of Health, are equipped with an attached covered unit, fitted with seating and a stretcher to transport patients. While the vehicles are not intended to be used as a replacement for conventional ambulances, it is geared to be used to transport patients to access healthcare services. It is also intended to be used for coordinated assistance with other partners at health promotion events, social events for mobile clinics and home visits.
