SXMElections.com

Prime Minister William Marlin (fourth left) with several patients staying at Bela Nova. Standing in front is owner of the Bela Nova complex.

 COLOMBIA--Prime Minister William Marlin, on Thursday, paid a visit to a number of St. Maarten patients who are seeking medical treatment in Cali, Colombia. The Prime Minister himself is there for a medical check-up.

  Marlin dropped in on patients who are staying at the Bela Nova Hotel, made up of a complex of four buildings totalling some 88 rooms. Marlin said the patients were “full of praise” for the facilities where they were staying and were also “very impressed” with the care at the medical facilities.Prime Minister Marlin comforting Lelia Brown who is recovering from surgery.

  Some patients have been there for several months already while others for a couple of weeks. The Prime Minister was given a tour of the facilities by the owner, who was “very proud” of the services she provides. She said she wanted to create a home environment for patients and every door has a sign saying: Welcome Home.

Bela Nova owner and her assistant showing off the small gym.  To make her guests even more comfortable she has equipped building four, the newest of the units with 28 rooms on six floors, with a small gym with three machines and a room where they can get a massage. On the ground floor, patients get together for Zumba classes.

  All apartments are equipped with a kitchen, one or two bedrooms and a small living area. There are presently some 40 plus patients staying at the Bela Nova complex alone.

Prime Minister said he was pleased to meet patient Lelia Brown who is recovering from her bout with cancer. He also already contacted Social and Health Insurances SZV about a patient who has been there for more than a year and according to her brother, who is there with her, she has been released for some time, but no arrangements have been made by SZV for her return.

  There was another patient who had surgery and complained about having to wait no less than nine days before a nurse came to change the bandage. “Overall the patients were in high spirits and were a happy group of medical tourist enjoying Cali while there. It sort of gave me a glimpse of what St. Maarten could soon mean to others when our own new medical facilities have been built,” Marlin said in a press release.