Thursday, March 5, 2026

Health

Two Cohorts of the Belize Police Department Receive Community First Aid Response Training

In partnership with the University of Colorado and the Belize Police Department, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) hosted two two-day workshops on the Community First Aid Response (CFAR) Learning Programme. The training, attended by 60 police officers from across the country, focused on enhancing their ability to respond to emergencies within their communities.

SSB moves sickness benefit claims entirely online

Starting December 1, 2025, the Social Security Board (SSB) will transition the Sickness Benefit claim process to an online-only format nationwide. All claims must be submitted through the My Social Security Self-Service Portal (ssbportal.org.bz). Additionally, walk-in, paper submissions will no longer be accepted at branch offices.

PCV 13 Vaccine for Children and Adults Introduced

The Ministry of Health and Wellness announces the introduction of Pneumococcal 13 (PCV13) Vaccine for children and adults. Anyone can get Pneumococcal disease, but it is preventable with one single dose of Pneumococcal vaccine administered from 5 years of age and older. Persons with existing medical conditions and adults 65 years or older are at the highest risk.

Belize Mission Project Spreads Smiles in San Pedro

From October 31st to November 7th, a team of dental specialists and volunteers from the United States, along with Belizean professionals, returned to San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, to offer free dental services to the community. Known as the Belize Mission Project, the group visits the island annually and has been serving Belizeans for over 30 years. This year’s team treated hundreds of adults and children, calling the trip another successful mission.

Island Volunteers Boost National Blood Supply

The San Pedro Community Blood Drive Group held a successful blood drive at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II on Saturday, November 1st. By the end of the day, 19 pints of blood had been collected to replenish the national blood bank's supply. These donations will support emergency medical needs nationwide and ensure lifesaving blood is available when residents need it most.

Belize Joins 10th Anniversary Campaign for Safer Use of Medicines

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is one of 130 partner organisations worldwide taking part in the #MedSafetyWeek campaign from November 3 to 9, 2025. The campaign encourages patients, families, and healthcare professionals to report any suspected side effects from medicines because everyone has a role to play in medicines safety.

San Pedro closes October with Breast Cancer Awareness Walk

To honor those who have lost their battle with breast cancer and support those still fighting the disease, a group of islanders gathered at Central Park on Friday, October 31st, for an awareness walk through downtown San Pedro. The event saw participation from the San Pedro Lions Club, Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II, local athletes, the island’s Health Department, the Labour Office, and other community members.

Government Moves to Lower Cost of Chronic Disease Medicines

On the 23rd of October, the Government of Belize announced a significant initiative to lower the cost of some medicines used to treat noncommunicable diseases (NCDs). This move aims to improve the affordability of vital pharmaceuticals for chronic conditions like diabetes and hypertension, which impact many Belizeans nationally.