Emergencies in The Cayes and Atolls

The San Pedro Lions Polyclinic, which opened in 2005 on Ambergris Caye, has two physicians, three nurses, a pharmacist, and a health officer. The clinic has services just short of a full-scale hospital and is open weekdays from 8 to 8 and Saturdays 8 to noon. A doctor and nurse are on 24-hour call. Two other clinics, several doctors, three pharmacies, a dentist, and a hyperbaric chamber are also on the island.

On Caye Caulker, the Caye Caulker Health Center, usually staffed by a volunteer doctor, is open weekdays 8-11:30 and 1-4:30. For dental care or serious ailments you need to go to Belize City. There are no medical facilities on any of the other cayes, but if you have an emergency, call your embassy or contact Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, the nation's main referral hospital, in Belize City, or a private hospital in Belize City, Belize Medical Associates. If you're on an island with an airstrip, Wings of Hope provides emergency airlift services, as does Astrum Helicopters.

For police emergencies, call 911 or 90. On marine radios, channel 16 is the international distress channel.

Clinics

San Pedro Lions Polyclinic (Near airstrip, San Pedro. 226/4052 or 600/9071). Caye Caulker Health Center (Front St., near Lena's Hotel, Caye Caulker. 226/0166). San Pedro Hyperbaric Chamber (Near airstrip, San Pedro. 226/2851).

Other Emergency Contacts

Astrum Helicopters (Mile 3½, Northern Hwy., Belize City. 223/9462) Belize Medical Associates (5791 Thomas St., Belize City. 223/0302). Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (Princess Margaret Dr., Belize City. 223/1548). United States Embassy (Floral Park Rd., Belmopan City. 822/4011). Wings of Hope (1675 Sunrise Ave., Belize City. 223/0078).