Health

On Wednesday, October 30th, Taiwanese Foreign Minister His Excellency Dr. Lin Chia-lung concluded his official visit to Belize with a stop in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye. His government is financing the construction of the San Pedro and Caulker General Hospital. During this visit, Dr. Chia-lung, accompanied by his delegation and Taiwan’s Ambassador to Belize, Her Excellency Lily Li-wen Hsu, received a construction site tour to assess the progress. They were also joined by Mayor Gualberto ‘Wally’ Nuñez, Area Representative Honorable Andre Perez, Belize’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Honorable Able Francis Fonseca, and Prime Minister Honorable Dr. John Briceño.

October is recognized as Cancer Awareness Month, a time dedicated to raising public awareness about cancer and its effects. In honor of this important occasion, Ambergris Hope Hospital hosted an outreach program on Saturday, October 26th, from 10AM to 2PM. The program included distributing educational resources and offering free clinical breast examinations.

Dr. Joshua A. Canul recently completed his master’s degree in Infectious Disease Epidemiology from University College London under the Chevening scholarship. This scholarship was funded by the United Kingdom’s Government International Scholarships Program, specifically through the Foreign, Commonwealth, and Development Office and Partner Organizations. He was awarded the scholarship on September 25, 2023, and completed his studies on September 24, 2024. Chevening Scholarships enable outstanding emerging leaders worldwide to pursue one-year master’s degrees in the United Kingdom. These fully funded scholarships cover flights, accommodation, and fees, allowing recipients to focus on achieving their professional goals and maximizing their experiences.

To promote a healthy lifestyle in the community, Councilor Marina Kay, who oversees Public Health initiatives, has teamed up with the San Pedro Lions Club to organize a Business Health Screening event. This initiative offers essential health services at no cost, including glucose testing, blood pressure monitoring, malaria testing, and flu vaccinations.

A total of 27 pints of blood were collected during the blood drive organized by the Island Donors Squad (IDS) on October 5th. The drive occurred at the Ambergris Hope Hospital and involved IDS volunteers, including Washington University of Health and Science (WUHS) students. The volunteers also checked health vitals and conducted a dollar drive.

The National Health Insurance (NHI) program now covers residents in all of Belize Rural South, which includes San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, and Caye Caulker. The government program reached the Caye Caulker community on Friday, September 27th. A private clinic and a pharmacy signed contracts with the NHI to provide access to primary healthcare services and medication at a significantly reduced cost. The two accredited institutions are Dr. D’s Clinic and Prescription Value Pharmacy. To join NHI, Hicaqueños can register at these institutions with their Social Security Card. If their cards have expired, island residents can still register using their Social Security number.

The San Pedro community has always been known for its unity and support for worthy causes. This includes organizing blood drives to assist those in need during emergencies. The recent blood drive, held by the San Pedro Community Blood Drive Group at the San Pedro Resource Center on Saturday, September 14th, recorded a low turnout. Despite the aim to welcome as many donors as possible, only five pints of blood were collected, highlighting the urgent need for more community participation.

September 10th marks Suicide Prevention Day, a global initiative to highlight the urgent need for mental health awareness and support. In Belize, where community ties are strong and cultural values deeply rooted, the issue of suicide remains complex and often misunderstood. As the nation reflects on this significant day, it’s crucial to address how suicide is perceived locally, its impact on communities, and the available resources for mental health support.