Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Agriculture, in collaboration with Fyffes, is proud to announce the signing of a Public Private Partnership (PPP) on November 22nd, 2023, marking a significant milestone in the ongoing effort to address malnutrition among school-aged children in Southern Belize. This partnership is dedicated to supporting the Bella Vista Community and Community Feeding Program, with a specific focus on Bella Vista Primary School.

The Government of Belize has approved the removal of all fees charged in public hospitals, a pivotal decision aimed at ensuring universal access to quality healthcare. This move eliminates financial barriers and enhances healthcare accessibility for all citizens, particularly low-income families.

As more people in San Pedro Town, Ambergris Caye, get the AstraZeneca jab against COVID-19, island health authorities report zero cases among the local population. However, two visitors/tourists are in quarantine in San Pedro after being detected with COVID-19.

As Belize continues to experience heavy rains due to the passing of Tropical Depression Eta, many residents have been experiencing flooding. It is anticipated that due to the flooding in some areas, drinking water sources may have become contaminated leaving it unsafe to drink and requiring treatment.

The National Oversight Committee (NOC) held its last meeting today, November 2nd.In their final decision, the NOC supported (in part) a request from the Banana Growers Association (BGA) for the imposition of an 8:00 p.m. to 5:00 a.m. curfew in villages in the Banana Belt. There has been an outbreak of COVID-19 cases in that area, affecting several workers in the banana industry and banana farms. The BGA fears that without some action from Government, the transmission will spread in the villages and on the farms, forcing closures in an industry that remains an important foreign exchange earner.

The Ministry of Health hereby informs of its intention to start using antigen rapid testing for COVID-19 following established protocols. After completing a validation exercise with the SD Biosensor Antigen testing kit and following international recommendations, use of this antigen testing kit will ONLY be applicable and is recommended for persons who are: I) Symptomatic II) Close contacts of a confirmed case

The United Nations through the COVID-19 Response and Recovery Multi-Partner Trust Fund handed over 30,000 sets of Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), 150 test kits, and various essential health commodities to the Ministry of Health (MOH) to support the Government of Belize to curb the spread of COVID-19. The total value of equipment and supplies is estimated at USD $118,000.00. The United Nations Resident Coordinator Office (UNRCO), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), and the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) handed over the items to the Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero; Principal Public Health Inspector, John Bodden; and HECOPAB Technical Advisor, Kathleen Azueta-Cho, on behalf of the Ministry of Health.

There was an initial desktop review of surveillance, containment measures, and random testing across the prison on October 27, 2020. This has resulted in 190 samples being processed with the SD Biosensor rapid antigen tests and 90 samples being reactive for COVID-19.