For months, key stakeholders involved in the forty-five-million-dollar University Hospital project have left the question of its construction site unanswered. Originally, the hospital was intended to be built on the University of Belize grounds to manage operations for the institution. However, government officials ultimately rejected that location. Today, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard provided an update, announcing that a new site has been selected.
Kevin Bernard, Minister, MOHW
“I would not be able to speak on the cost of the land. That is, that is something that is, um, to the Ministry of Economic Development because that’s the way the decision for that was done. However, there was other challenges, the location of accessibility. Remember, it’s not only a teaching hospital, it’s going to be a tertiary facility where you need to have immediate access and so, they felt after the ministry and other technical team looked at it, they felt that they needed to be at a different location that is more accessible. But it will continue to serve, as Dean Johnson mentioned, not just the tertiary teaching hospital, but we also want to try and look at how we could implement our regional facilities to also become some level of teaching facilities where people can go in and learn clinical works and so forth. So, but yes, the decision was made to build a hospital at a different location. We are almost finished with the designs now, and I am hoping that we can break ground on that new facility by the end of this year.”
Reporter
“I know you said it’s the Ministry of Economic Development, they made a decision. But do you feel like that money that went into sourcing this land will take away from maybe the quality of the facility that’s being built since that money could have been used in the facility?”
Kevin Bernard
“No, that is totally separate from what the investment from the Saudis will be. I mean, the, the Saudis has committed to sixty thousand dollars…six, I don’t remember, I think it’s sixty thousand U.S. dollars. But at the end of the day, we have to make sure that. Six million. I believe it is. Sorry. I’m sorry. I’m confusing the numbers, but we have to make sure that there’s no change in the scope of that. That’s why there’s proper planning being done in terms of our policy unit or planning unit working closely with the university. We’re working closely with the hospital designs that are there to ensure that all the services that we a tertiary facility should have will be had will be there whether the land was purchased or so does not take away from what the construction of that facility will have when it’s over, when it’s finished.”
Belize has long faced the challenge of students leaving the country for higher education and not returning after completing their studies. To address this issue, the University of Belize today launched the nation’s first School of Medicine, allowing students to pursue medical education locally. While the program is still in the process of accreditation to meet international standards, it represents a crucial step forward. We spoke with Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, to discuss how the ministry is working to combat brain drain in Belize.
Kevin Bernard, Minister, MOHW
“This is always a challenge similarly to any scholarship program we are looking at we will have to look at bonding some of our persons that, that are getting this opportunity. Sometimes it is said that it’s how you enforce the bond. But I think it’s also from you, the individual who gets the scholarship, knowing that an investment has been made on your behalf that you come back and serve your community. And I think that while we can have these bonds in place, It’s also a personal responsibility that one has to take to say, you know what, I have gotten the benefit from the whatever institution, whether it’s a private or government scholarship, that you come back and serve your community. And I think that we just have to look at the measures that we will put in place to ensure that we could keep these people here for as long as we can so that they continue to serve the community.”
In June, when the newly constructed Coastal Plain Highway experienced significant flooding, it was attributed to deforestation. According to official data from the Forestry Department, within the last decade, eighty-eight thousand hectares or three hundred and thirty-nine square miles of forest land across Belize have been deforested. We were unable to get actual data on how much forest have been cleared along the Coastal Plain Highway, but it is enough for conservationists to raise an alarm. Experts believe that deforestation is not only leading to more significant flooding events in the area, but also posing a threat to wildlife that traverse this rich jungle ecosystem, like jaguars and tapirs. Logging and unsustainable agricultural development have been identified as the primary causes. In tonight’s episode of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at the deforestation within the Maya Forest Corridor and the Manatee Forest Reserve, along the Coastal Plain Highway. Here is that report.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
The simplest definition of deforestation is intentional clearing of forested land. One of its negative effects is the reduction of the soil’s ability to hold water. As a result, water from heavy rainfall flows over the surface and causes flooding. Back in June, when the newly built Coastal Plain Highway saw significant flooding, and damage as a result, experts within the Ministry of Infrastructure Development and Housing pointed to deforestation as the primary reason.
Voice of: Julius Espat
Voice of: Julius Espat, Minister of Infrastructure Development
“What we have been experiencing is a part of our own making. Deforestation has become a major issue. You have to understand that trees and all of these things help with minimizing the erosion. It directs the flow of water to a specific area. Once you take that out and then it’s, a free flow.”
Voice of: Evondale Moody
Voice of: Evondale Moody, Chief Engineer, Ministry of Infrastructure Development
“Other entities created that problem for us by deforestation up stream. And based on my observation this morning we have a lot of areas where a lot of forest is cleared now where people are developing their new businesses, their new parks opening.”
The thirty-six-mile highway is surrounded by vast flatlands and lush forest. Fifteen miles in sits the entrance to an eco-adventure park that opened back in March of this year. The Excalibur Adventure Park sits on one thousand acres of forested land that borders the Manatee Forest Reserve to the north. So, is this eco-adventure park contributing to the deforestation that the Ministry of Infrastructure Development says has become a major issue? The company refutes any such claim. We spoke with Francis Cucul, the Manager of Excalibur Adventure Park.
Francis Cucul
Francis Cucul, Manager, Excalibur Adventure Park
“All along the watershed we have planted, and if you look in our logo, it has the number five thousand, we have planted over five thousand key stone trees such as the Mahagony, Cedar and other fruit trees to encourage wildlife along the water shed.”
Paul Lopez
“What was considered in the development process to maintain in the development process to maintain the integrity of the rich forest in this area?”
Francis Cucul
“So one of the things that was considered was the landscaping, the drainage of the area and reforesting in this area.”
Paul Lopez
“How are you all different than developers that come and want to clear land and make money off it as some would assume?”
Francis Cucul
“We work with the environment and again I will emphasize on planting rather than cutting down trees. We leave trees that are already there, so we do selective clearing and if we have Mahogany tree or Sapodilla trees or any tree that has significance, we leave it there and work around it.”
The proprietors of the eco-park have also established two conservation groups. For further context, the lands that run parallel to the highway have been deemed as a crucially important forest corridor by conservationists. It connects the Maya Mountain Massif in the south to the northern portion of Selva Maya. The Manatee Forest Reserve also forms a large part of this important forest link that jaguars and the endangered Baird’s tapirs, among other wildlife species, use to traverse the country. Satellite imagery from over the last decade reveals significant land clearing along the southern border of the Manatee Forest Reserve and even more within the area designated as the Maya Forest Corridor.
“It has come to a point where we really need to band together to save this area. Belize is world renowned for its protected area systems, but one of the gaps is the protection between those connected areas. What wildlife would this corridor be especially important for? Jaguars are wide ranging species that need large areas to sustain them. This corridor has been shrinking.”
So, it is not only the flood waters that are cause for concern along the Coastal Plain Highway. Deforestation is posing significant threats to the movement of wildlife species. The Maya Forest Corridor Trust used the June 2024 flooding as an opportunity to write to the government to highlight issues such as illegal logging and the arbitrary issuance of permits for land surveying and clearing in the area. And, while satellite imagery may not reveal significant signs of deforestation within the Manatee Forest Reserve itself, Jason Alschaft, the Chairman of Gales Point Manatee, a small Creole community along the Coastal Plain Highway, says illegal logging is taking place at an alarming rate within the reserve.
Jason Alschaft
Jason Alschaft, Chairman, Gales Point Manatee
“There is a lot of logging going on, some we have questioned, and it turned out it was illegal. Forest service (Forestry Department) came in and extracted what they have already cut and made the roads impassable again, so it was much more difficult to access the area. Sometimes we get trails where people may find a beautiful tree that they know they can make money on and harvest it. We see trucks coming and going all the time with logs, it is something I don’t know. A lot of times I see small pine trees coming out and it seems like they are getting smaller and smaller, and it seems like a lot of times what they take is a little bit more like we will just take it.”
Paul Lopez
“Would you classify the cause of the recent flooding as a result of deforestation within the Manatee Forest Reserve?”
Jason Alschaft
“I think it could be to some degree. I think recently the change in the road and the pushing of water in different directions has really been what caused some of the flooding that we experienced. In that area that flooded and lifted the road, that is an area that floods but it’s rare. But now with all the water that is being pushed to that same river I think that is what is causing it to get close to flooding every time it rains.”
We reached out to the Forestry Department for an interview. They informed us that they were unable to comment at this time due to ongoing discussions with conservationist groups on how best to address deforestation within the reserve. In 2021, the Maya Forest Corridor Trust purchased thirty-thousand acres of land that was under threat of deforestation. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.
PM Meets with Red Cross President
The Belize Red Cross Society has been in Belize since 1950 and has worked closely with the government in distributing aid to people in need during or immediately after a disaster. That close collaboration is expected to continue to benefit individuals in need, and this week, the leaders of both organisations met to solidify that plan. Prime Minister John Briceño said that he met with the new President of the Red Cross, Jacqueline Marshalleck, to see how they can continue to team up for Belizeans in need.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño
“Jackie Marshalleck came to see us and to appraise us on the work that they’ve been doing, thanking the government for assisting them in building a new headquarters, which we integrated. I think it was earlier this year and to continue to see how we can continue to work closely. She’s very happy with the cooperation that they’re getting with the NEMO and with the new director, Captain Mendez, and to see how we can continue to support them and they in effect, support Belize. The Red Cross is one of the organizations that has great value and great respect and especially from the international organizations that whenever we have a crisis in Belize or hurricanes and fires. They want to work with the Red Cross because they know that the Red Cross will ensure that every cent is accounted for and it is spent on the people that needs it. And we need to give them credit and to respect that and to continue to support the Red Cross.”
A team of Belizean powerlifters is in the U.S. competing in the North American Regional Powerlifting Competitions. The competition began on Monday, and late into the week, team Belize racked up numerous medals. Today we spoke with three of those medalists, including Amorette Banman, who competed in the sixty-three-kilo sub junior female category; Leo Matura, who competed in the seventy-four kilo open division; and Shakira Oxley Tsai, who competed in the master two category. In total, these three athletes have racked up eleven medals.
Amorette Banman
Amorette Banman, Belizean Powerlifter
“So I got three gold medals and one silver. I got gold in the squat event. I got silver in the bench press. I got gold in the deadlift, and I got gold overall.”
Paul Lopez
“How does it feel for you after all the preparation and hard work?”
Amorette Banman
“It feels really good. Last year I had a pretty bad competition. It didn’t go as planned. I failed. So I promised myself I would work harder throughout the year and then I came back and got my redemption. It feels really good.”
Leo Matura
Leo Matura, Belizean Powerlifter
“Bittersweet to be honest. I am very happy about what we achieved at this meeting here. We medal and hit placement in certain categories out of the three disciplines. Personally, I wanted to have a greater total that would have put me in contention for the bronze in the overall. But, we take it one day at a time. This sport is not a sprint, it is a marathon. It is something that you can’t be fixated on in just a moment. It is just a consistent thing, and your primary goal is always improving. The totals for those for the bench press was three hundred and forty pounds and deadlift was five eighty-five. We could have got six hundred and five but I lost grip, and it was not a strength issue, my hand literally had ripped there.”
Shakira Oxley Tsai
Shakira Oxley Tsai, Belizean Powerlifter
“I was able out of all the athletes that competed in my division, I had the third highest overall total. I also got medal bronze medal for squat, bronze medal for bench and a bronze medal for deadlift.”
Paul Lopez
“How do you feel about that?”
Shakira Oxley Tsai
“Pretty good. I am entering into my fifth decade of life, so being able to compete in the sport that I truly enjoy, really gives me another sense of accomplishment and I am happy to be able to do that under the Belize flag banner too.”
The International Organization for Migration (IOM) donated equipment worth over $151,000 to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. This contribution is part of the “Building Climate Change Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced People in Settlements of Western Belize” project. The project aligns with Sustainable Development Goals and the Global Compact for Migration Objectives and is set to conclude by December 2024.
In an official statement issued on August 8, 2024, it said that the project was launched in February 2022 as a “joint initiative between IOM and the Government of Belize—funded by the European Union with a grant of BZ$4,600,000.”
The donation includes 23 types of equipment, such as EKG machines, diagnostic sets, scales, crash carts, and defibrillators, marking the completion of IOM’s deliverables.
The initiative aims to improve resilience in five communities: Santa Familia, Billy White, Los Tambos, Duck Run 1, and Duck Run 3. “The polyclinic, being constructed by the government, is expected to be completed in October 2024 and will serve over 5,000 residents,” the statement said. The project will finish with the construction of a hurricane shelter and community centre in Duck Run 1 and the rehabilitation of Los Tambos Primary School.
The Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams, publicly supported the abolition of the death penalty in Belize. In an interview, Williams said, “The truth is, as much as many may not believe, I am opposed to the death penalty. I don’t believe in it. That’s my personal opinion.”
Williams cited the Pratt and Morgan case in Jamaica, noting that prolonged legal appeals make executions “cruel and inhumane” after five years. He stated, “I don’t foresee Belize executing death sentences, as legal appeals would surpass the five-year mark.”
Despite his personal opposition to the death penalty, Williams said that the final decision rests with parliamentarians. “My opinion is I don’t believe in it, and it’s a matter for Parliament to decide if they want to take it off,” he said.
His endorsement aligns with arguments from Senior Counsel Godfrey Smith and British attorney Parvais Jabbar, who noted that there have been no executions in 40 years and no death sentences in the past 20 years.
This morning, the Dangriga Operation Team of the Belize Police Department executed an anti-drug operation in Hope Creek Village. Authorities seized approximately 31.67 pounds (13.735 kilogrammes) of marijuana that were found in a bushy area. Since no one was found in the immediate area during the search, the drug was labelled as ‘found property’.
A Belize City family is reaching out for community support to help fundraise for Barbara Elijio Antonio, a beloved teacher and community member battling cancer. The family is hosting a Punta Rama Night fundraiser on August 31, which will be held at either Swift Hall or Bird’s Isle.
To make this event a success, the organizers are seeking donations to cover venue costs and other expenses. They welcome contributions from businesses and individuals alike to support this noble cause. “We aim to raise $7,000 through this event, which will go directly towards her treatment that she needs,” said Le-Tesha Tate, Antonio’s daughter. She added, “Every contribution, no matter how small, will help us inch closer to get her treatment. She is a wonderful teacher, friend, and mom she even helps her community.”
The family urges the community’s support and invites everyone to join this heartfelt initiative.
For more information or to offer support, individuals can contact the event organizer at +501-628-4632, +501-663-5673, or via email at tateletesha@gmail.com.
A recently issued Cabinet brief says that to strengthen the Belize Police Department, Cabinet approved a recruitment drive to add 225 new officers nationwide. It says that this expansion will support the opening of a new precinct in Santa Elena Town and bolster specialised police units as part of the government’s #PlanBelize initiative to reduce crime and improve public safety.
Addressing healthcare infrastructure, Cabinet reviewed a comprehensive study conducted by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital. Following extensive discussions, Cabinet endorsed the Ministry of Health and Wellness’s proposal to construct a new, modern tertiary-level hospital in Belize City, designed to be more patient-friendly.
Cabinet was briefed on the ongoing Cataloguing of Government Services project, spearheaded by the E-Governance and Digitalisation Department. The project, which involves 37 agencies and over 282 services, aims to enhance the management of government services, improving transparency and efficiency across the board.
In addition, Cabinet reviewed the progress of the National Digital Agenda 2022–2025. This initiative, funded by the ICDF and UNDP, focusses on breaking down barriers to digital access in marginalised communities. The program includes training for seniors, equipping them with the skills to safely navigate the internet and use e-services effectively.
To further support economic diversification, Cabinet approved the creation of critical positions within the New Growth Industries Unit under the Ministry of Home Affairs and New Growth Industries. This move is designed to enhance the unit’s capacity to manage and promote emerging sectors crucial to Belize’s economic growth.
Cabinet also called on the Minister of Sustainable Development to lead a national tree-planting initiative with the goal of planting one million trees over the next five years. This project will focus on urban and suburban areas and may involve policy and legislative changes to encourage the greening of Belize, including coastal, marine, and terrestrial zones.
Finally, as the hurricane season intensifies, Cabinet urges all Belizeans to remain vigilant and prepared for potential storms.
