Thursday, March 5, 2026

Health

PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health and Wellness Join Forces to Strengthen Mental Health Services in Belize

In an effort to expand access to quality mental health services in Belize, the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) and funding support from the European Union-Funded Health Sector Support Programme Project, launched a four-day Training of Trainers Workshop on the WHO’s Mental Health Gap Action Programme Intervention Guide (mhGAP-IG) 2.0 for psychiatric nurse practitioners and medical officers from all health regions, countrywide.

MoHW and UNICEF Strengthen Child and Adolescent Mental Health Services Through Cognitive Behavioural Therapy Training

The Ministry of Health & Wellness (MoHW), through its Mental Health Unit, in collaboration with UNICEF, has launched a strategic training initiative on Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT)—an evidence-based psychological intervention proven effective in addressing anxiety, depression, trauma, and behavioural issues in young people.

Noncommunicable disease deaths in the Americas have risen 43% since 2000, PAHO report shows

Deaths from noncommunicable diseases (NCDs), such as heart disease, cancer, and diabetes, have surged by 43% in the Americas since 2000, reaching 6 million in 2021, according to the Pan American Health Organization’s (PAHO) NCDs at a Glance 2025 report.

From San Pedro With Love: Islanders Called to Give

The 2025 World Blood Donor Day (WDD) slogan is "Give blood, give hope: together we save lives". This message emphasizes the impact of voluntary blood donors on saving lives, and encourages both new and existing donors to give every three months. In honor of World Blood Donor Day (June 14th), Island Donors Squad (IDS) will host their next blood drive at Ambergris Hope Hospital (AHH).

Ministry of Health & Wellness Advises on Vector and Waterborne Diseases Due to Flooding

The Ministry of Health & Wellness advises that floodwaters can be the source of many infectious diseases, chemical hazards, and injuries, and therefore urges the public to avoid walking, working, or playing in floodwaters. Exposure to contaminated floodwater can cause wound infections, skin rashes, stomach illnesses, tetanus, and waterborne diseases such as typhoid fever, cholera, leptospirosis, and hepatitis A.

PAHO Report Shows 15.5% Increase in Voluntary Blood Donations in Latin America and the Caribbean

In a report released on June 12th, just ahead of World Blood Donor Day, the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) revealed a significant 15.5% increase in blood donations across Latin America and the Caribbean in 2023 compared to 2020.

Belize Police Officers Undergo Intensive Four-Day Mental Health Training

On June 9th, police officers from across Belize began a four-day mental health training program. Representing the San Pedro Branch were Sergeant 456 Edwardo Patt and Corporal 102 Andre Almendarez. The training, spearheaded by the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) and the Belize Police Department, aimed to equip officers with essential skills for self-care and effective crisis response.

PAHO/WHO Belize, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Belize Police Force, hosts Training of Trainers on the Revised Mental...

The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) and the Belize Police Force, launched a four-day training for seventy-five police officers.