San Pedro's Dr. Otto Rodriguez Polyclinic II was a busy place on Friday, October 9th, as Partners 4 Medical Relief ran free surgical screenings for residents who need specialised care. Registration and nurse assessments started at 8AM, with specialist surgeons examining patients through 3:30PM to work out who would benefit from an operation.
The focus was on cleft lip and palate, ENT conditions, facial deformities and deviated septums. On the menu of procedures: scar revision, ear-tube placement, mole removal and tonsillectomies. Patients selected for surgery were scheduled at Corozal Hospital, where the team spent four days operating. Everything was covered by the organisation — imaging, lab tests, medication, equipment and the surgery itself — with patients only paying their own transport to Corozal.
Director of Nursing Mandy Morrison said demand has grown with each mission: more than 30 patients had already come through by 11AM, and the team typically completes upwards of 80 surgeries in a week. Surgeon Dr. Yen Hsieh added that the team handles everything from small cysts and lesions to congenital conditions and traumatic injuries, and urged people to come along even when they are unsure whether surgery is needed — if an operation isn't the answer, patients still get advice and direction on next steps.
Partners 4 Medical Relief has been working in Belize since 2004, starting in Corozal and Orange Walk before extending screenings to San Pedro. The October 2026 visit was its third to the island, following missions in October 2025 and January 2026. With demand rising and increasingly complex cases on the books, the organisation plans to expand its San Pedro outreach in future trips.
For travellers, this is a good reminder that Ambergris Caye is more than reefs and beach bars — it's a working community where access to specialist care often means long waits or expensive trips to the mainland. If you're planning an extended stay, volunteering, or have ties to the island, it's worth knowing these missions happen roughly a few times a year and are coordinated with the Ministry of Health and the Central Health Region. Visitors to Corozal town, meanwhile, may notice the extra activity at Corozal Hospital during mission weeks.
Anyone considering a trip to San Pedro around future screening dates should keep an eye on local announcements — and if you know island residents who could benefit, the message from the surgical team is simple: show up and ask, even if you're not sure.
