Where can I find the requirement for licensure in Belize City, Belize? I was reading up on Belize and it said that there were a shortage of physician's in Belize. It also does alot of advertisement for people 45yrs or older with and monthly income of $2000 in pension or SSI.

Can any students who are down in Belize tell me what the living conditions are? Is Belize still under UK laws as far as medical licensure is concerned?

Thanks,

interesting... i know they are trying to train their doctors indigenously. CAHSU has a program for belizian med students in which they receive full tuition scholarship in exchange for a contract that they will work in belize after their residency in belize. http://www.cahsu.edu/newspaper.htm
other than that, i haven't heard much. where did you find this info?

belize = population ~ 250k, poverty = 30% (making $1/day or less, count your blessings), a few paved roads in belize city, lots of dirt or gravel roads, stable gov't, they gained their indepedence in 1981 from the british gov't (hence, it was formerly known as british honduras). so to answer your question, no, they have licensure requirements independent of the british gov't. killer scuba diving with the longest UNBROKEN reef in the world. there are more species of trees in this country (the size of new jersey) than in the entire united states. they have lots of jaguars, the mayan temples and archeological finds are their claim to fame.

and i wish i had $400,000 to put into some real estate right now, as tourism is starting to go through the roof.

I read this off their embassy website and there are quite a few websites for people who looking to retire at a young age. Of, you have to have a decent income before you move there and they give you residency status. But the embassy mentioned that there is a shortage of physicians.
I'm still in the process of trying to figure out how to call the Medical Council there. I wouldn't mind going there for a few months and I know that there are medical mission's that go there, but's it's more like a vacation than going there to work. However, based on photo's I've seen, It looks wonderful. Yet, I don't like to judge a place by what I see in a photo.

Perhaps I should contact some of the medical missions which take medical students down there for the experience. I'll have to wait until my 3rd and 4th year. But the experience should be out of this world. I like to hit a couple countries before I graduate and I already know that I'll be able to go to Africa for 2yrs and do some clinicals in the teaching hospitals in Africa. I would also like to go to Europe and do a clinical experience there too. I'll have to keep searching the net for medical missions to Europe. So far, I know there a quite a few for Africa, and the Caribbeans. I haven't found one yet for Europe. Some of them you have to pay like $1000+ and they provide airfare, room and board.

But thanks for the information, I'll look into it.

yea, thanks, and keep us posted.

If you like a bunch of sorry-***, back-stabbing, lying sobs, you'll love Belize.

The only American fast food place in the country is a Subway in Belize City. I think the fact that no other American icon type companies go there should tell you something. Want a McDonald? You'll be going to Chetumal Mexico or Guatamala CIty (if you don't get kidnapped or robbed in Guatamala - as one of my Guatamalan professors did traveling from Belize to Guatamala City).

I will be the first to admit that I didn't spend any time in the tourist areas. And in the 8 months I was there I kept hearing that once you get out of Belize City it is much better. But I didn't get out of Belize City much so all I know is what I saw . . and it sucked.

I spoke to an American who owns a resort down in Palencia and he was trying to convince me how I had misjudged the Belizian people, but then he turns right around and tells me how many of them he had to continually fire because they stole so much and were so lazy.

I would STRONGLY urge you to go spend time there before you move or invest. Oh yeah, last christmas the banks ran out of money so keep that in mind when you use them.

Good luck.

Thanks cashsu,

However, I'm really trying to allow God to direct me in the right path. I will go where he leads me. I don't know where that is right now. But I know that when the time comes he will guide me in the right direction.

Dr.2B

the whiter you are out here, the deeper your pockets, or so they think. they talk about how friendly the belizians are, especially when your money ends up in their pockets. the school shouldn't be so involved in the housing... but the education is great. dr. *** (anatomy) is the best professor i've ever had. anyway, no matter where you go in the caribbean... culture shock will accompany your stay.

If you are seriously considering getting licensure in Belize please PM me and I will send you the necessary form. I am assuming you are finishing up your clinicals?

Also, Belize and the people of Belize are quite wonderful, of course as in any country there are the bad seeds but for the most part the general population are a giving and caring people second only to the people I met while in the Middle East. Yes, some do look for handouts but for the most part when they get to know you they treat you as a friend more so than a person with deep pockets. It's all in how you treat them ie with respect and dignity and more importantly as equals. My wife and I have been here for three years now and rarely get hit up for handouts unless it is truly needed. We have also been warmly received in our community now that they know we aren't leaving, that this is our home.

Also, American fast food has not taken root here due in large part to the small population and the protectionist attitude of the GOB. Most fast food franchises don't come here due to the requirement that if the food can be processed here to the same level as required by the franchise then it will be done here or high duties will be applied. This is due, as well, to the small population and protecting their jobs.

I truly see no real difference in how the Belize gov't handles business and how the US or other first world countries do business. The only difference is that it is more visible here and not done behind closed doors.

Just a thought before we begin judging people by way of our own culture or experience.

Garrick

Thanks Garrick,

I'm not in clinicals yet, I wont be in clinicals until another 2yrs. I have looked at Belize and also New Zealand. I know that in New Zealand they require you to have taken USMLE 1 and 2 and NZREX. I'm not sure if Belize wants you to do USMLE 1,2 and 3. Also I know that I can do residency in New Zealand once I have passed the NZREX, however, I don't know about Belize. I'm not to sure on where I want to go right at this point. If you can send me details on residency in Belize and what their requirements are, that would be helpful.

-Dr.2B

If you do not perform your residency in the US then you will need to perform a one year internship in this region. Currently Belize does not have an internship program but it is in the works. They are also considering a licensure exam in the future as well.
the best scenario would be for you to complete your residency in the US, write Steps I, II and CS etc and then come down here and sign the necessary paperwork for licensure. That way if you do choose to return to the US or go to another country you will have an easier time.

Garrick

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