February 7, 2025 - Channel 5 Belize

GOB to Write Off Over $54 Million in Patient Debts at KHMHA

In today’s session of the House of Representatives, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard announced that the government of Belize has approved the write-off of $54 million patient debts at the K.H.M.H.A. in Belize City. Bernard stated that these uncollected debts, between the period April 2009 to March 2022, were incurred during the challenging COVID-19 years.

A period that saw many Belizeans struggle financially, he said.

“This decision is much more than just a financial adjustment. It represents a profound and immediate relief for thousands of Belizeans who have struggled under the weight of these debts.”

According to Bernard, the debt forgiveness is part of the broader healthcare reforms outlined in the Plan Belize initiative, which aims to make healthcare accessible and equitable for all citizens.

The debt forgiveness follows a similar initiative in October 2023, when the government removed all clinical service fees from public hospitals and clinics nationwide. In a press release issued on October 31, 2023, the Briceño administration stated, “Statistics reveal that revenue arrears for hospital care bills reached approximately 50% over the past three years, underscoring the need for change. Removing fees simplifies the billing process and allows healthcare facilities to focus on delivering quality care.”

Moses “Shyne” Barrow Produces High School Diploma

Leader of the Opposition Moses “Shyne” Barrow has produced his high school diploma after it was brought up by Freetown Area Representative Henry Charles Usher during the sitting of the House of Representatives today.

This following a fiery debate erupted as Usher fiercely defended the qualifications of Maria Rodriguez, who is being appointed as the auditor general, against criticisms from Barrow. In a heated back-and-forth, the Usher dismissed Barrow’s remarks as “pure nonsense” and accused him of attempting to undermine the credibility of the appointee.

Barrow questioned the qualifications of Rodriguez, suggesting they were unsubstantiated. In response, the Usher shot back, alleging that the opposition leader himself could not provide proof of his own academic credentials. “It is a fact that this whole country knows that the doctorate he claims to have is not in his possession and that he cannot show the country at any point,” the minister said.

Barrow quickly sought to correct the record, asserting that he holds an honorary doctorate from the University of Liberia. The Speaker of the House acknowledged the clarification, but the debate escalated as the Usher further alleged that even within the Barrow’s own party, members had asked him to produce his high school diploma, which he had yet to provide.

The Speaker intervened to restore order as tensions ran high, reminding members to maintain decorum.

However, Usher continued to press his point, stating that the Barrow’s main objective was to disparage the reputation of a hard-working senior public officer who has faithfully served Belize for years.

According to the document obtained by News 5, Barrow does have a high school diploma from City As School in New York City dated June 1997.

ComPol Says Those Responsible for Gabriel’s Death Could Be Held Liable

The investigation into the tragic death of little Gabriel Orellano, a 6-year-old autistic and mute student from Stella Maris School, is still ongoing. On Monday, little Gabriel wandered off the school compound unnoticed and tragically drowned near the seaside.

Commissioner of Police Chester Williams told reporters earlier today, “It is telling on us as a society to see that the child was seen running through traffic, and several vehicles almost hit him, and nobody stopped to check.”

He confirmed that a police officer did report seeing the child and called 911, but despite efforts, patrols couldn’t locate Gabriel in time.

“We also reviewed the issue with the police officer who had given an interview to the media, stating that she had seen the child and had called 911 and gave the information… and it is indeed true,” William said. “She called, and it showed that immediately after she called, the diary entry showed that she had passed the information onto the patrols that were out.”

According to Williams, the patrols did respond and checked but were unable to locate little Gabriel. He said the reason this happened could be because “the child was moving very fast.”

He said that the police are focusing on whether anyone was negligent in their duty to care for Gabriel to determine if the people responsible for looking after him failed in their legal obligation to ensure his safety.

He added that if negligence is found, those responsible could be held accountable.

“You have not just a moral obligation but also a legal obligation to ensure the safety of that child. And once that obligation is broken by way of negligence, then you can be held liable,” Williams said.

BNTU Stands Firm Behind Stella Maris Teachers Amid Little Gabriel’s Death

The BNTU President, Nadia Martin-Caliz, says the union stands behind the teachers at Stella Maris School following the tragic drowning of 6-year-old Gabriel Orellano.

Little Gabriel was an autistic and mute student who wandered out of the school compound unnoticed and tragically drowned by the Hangar area in Belize City.

Martin-Caliz defended the teachers at Stella Maris by pointing out the challenges those teachers face in special education. While she stated there is importance in taking accountability, she assured the teachers that the union stands by them.

“Everybody who saw that child failed that child. Let’s start there,” she stated.

She added, “I can tell you that these teachers have been registering some of their challenges with the ministry.”

Martin-Caliz commended Minister of Education Francis Fonseca for “not attacking the teachers.” Martin-Caliz said she is “of the opinion” that Fonseca has seen the documentation and concerns raised by the Stella Maris teachers and that he now recognises those concerns are valid.

She added that the union stands strongly behind the Stella Maris teachers, saying, “We stand behind them as a union. We’re going to give you all the support that you need. And if the evidence is showing that maybe there’s a little slip here and there, then we need to put the system in place to correct that.”

New UNICEF Representative to Belize Commits to Strengthening Child Rights Initiatives

Ken Legins, the newly appointed UNICEF representative to Belize, has officially presented his credentials to Minister of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade Francis Fonseca and Chief Executive Officer Amalia Mai. The formal introduction took place at the Laing Building in Belmopan, where Legins outlined UNICEF’s continued commitment to advancing child rights and welfare in Belize.

During the meeting, Legins reaffirmed UNICEF’s support for key national initiatives, focusing on child protection, education, health, and collaboration with regional bodies and the private sector. He also discussed the development of a new country programme aimed at aligning UNICEF’s efforts with Belize’s national priorities for children.

With over 25 years of experience in international development, Legins brings a wealth of expertise in public health, humanitarian response, and social sector system-building. His career has spanned leadership roles at UNICEF headquarters, as well as field positions in Iraq and China, where he worked on optimising supply chains and strengthening child-focused policies. Additionally, he has collaborated with the World Health Organization (WHO) on adolescent and maternal health in Ukraine and North Macedonia and with refugee communities in Albania during the Kosovo War.

EU and IDB Invest $2 Million to Advance Digital Innovation in Belize

The European Union (EU) has partnered with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) to expand Belize’s digital transformation efforts, providing $2 million in grant funding to scale up the Digital Innovation to Boost Economic Development in Belize program. This initiative is a key part of the Belizean government’s broader strategy to drive economic growth through digital innovation.

The grant will complement an existing $10 million IDB loan program, which aims to modernize businesses by advancing digital technologies and increasing efficiency across various sectors. The project, currently being implemented by the Ministry of Finance, Economic Development, Investment, Civil Aviation, and Immigration, focuses on helping Micro, Small, and Medium-sized Enterprises (MSMEs) transition into the digital economy. More than 250 firms are expected to benefit, and at least 20 individuals—half of whom are women—will receive digital skills training through specialized boot camps.

The EU funding will support efforts to increase private sector engagement in digital transformation, enhance local technological capacities, and encourage businesses to adopt digital solutions, online payments, and innovative communication tools. By fostering a stronger digital ecosystem, the initiative aims to boost MSME growth and improve Belize’s overall economic resilience.

The agreement between the EU and IDB highlights a shared commitment to empowering Belize’s private sector and ensuring greater participation from women entrepreneurs. It also aligns with the Global Gateway Investment Agenda for Latin America and the Caribbean, reinforcing long-term efforts to create a sustainable and competitive digital economy in Belize.

BNTU President Leads Rally for Teacher Rights and Systemic Change

“Over 3,000 plus teachers are here today. And I haven’t seen this level of support for the BNTU in years,” said the president of the BNTU, Nadia Martin-Caliz. She told News Five that the Belize National Teachers’ Union (BNTU) came out to demand systemic changes in the education sector. During their demonstration, the members of the union expressed frustration with ongoing issues in teachers’ working conditions, pay, and recognition.

“It is clear that their mandate is exactly what we’re standing up for: value teachers. We matter. They matter. They are the backbone of education,” said Martin-Caliz.

She added that “today is the launch of a campaign” by the teachers. The “Value Teachers We Matter” campaign aims to address not only salary discrepancies but also the deep-seated challenges teachers face daily, from fundraising for school supplies to paying utilities.

One of the key issues discussed was the inefficiency in managing teachers’ compensation. Despite acknowledgement from the Ministry of Education, Martin-Caliz said, “While they want to be able to give teachers what is rightfully theirs, there is no documentation to support some of those things.” This, she said, delays necessary reforms.

According to her, some important issues have yet to be addressed. She stated, “If I say that we have not been making strides, then the union is being disingenuous.” She added that if the government doesn’t act in good faith on these unresolved issues, the union is prepared to take stronger action, stating that the union is prepared to “take it up a notch.”

Attorneys Demand Prime Minister Disclose Election Date Amid Legal Challenge

A potential constitutional showdown is brewing as attorneys representing claimants in a legal challenge against the government demand advance notice of the Prime Minister’s decision to dissolve Parliament and call a general election.

Senior Counsel Anand Ramlogan, acting on behalf of Jeremy Enriquez, Rudolph Norales, and Jessica Tulcey, has formally requested that the Attorney General of Belize provide written notification at least five days before any official move to dissolve Parliament and set an election date. This request, outlined in a letter dated February 6, 2025, is aimed at ensuring that legal action can be taken to prevent elections from proceeding under what the claimants argue are illegally drawn electoral boundaries.

At the heart of the dispute is the claimants’ assertion that the current electoral divisions violate Section 90(1) of the Belize Constitution. They argue that proceeding with elections under these conditions would be unfair, irrational, and unconstitutional, effectively disenfranchising voters. Ramlogan’s letter warns that failure to address this issue before an election is called could result in lengthy litigation and even the potential invalidation of the electoral process.

The attorneys cite a 2019 case in which a similar request for interim relief was denied after Parliament had already been dissolved. They are determined to avoid a repeat of that situation by securing a commitment from the government in advance.

Ramlogan has given the Attorney General until 4:00 PM on February 7, 2025, to respond. If no undertaking is provided, he warns that an application for urgent interim relief will be filed to force the government to disclose its election timeline in advance.

In addition, the attorneys are seeking to expedite the broader constitutional challenge to ensure the matter is resolved before a general election is called. They have also asked the government to clarify legal representation for the Prime Minister, given that separate attorneys are representing the Attorney General, the Speaker of the House, and the Elections and Boundaries Commission.

The case has significant implications not just for the upcoming election but for Belize’s democratic reputation. The claimants argue that holding elections under unconstitutional conditions could lead to international scrutiny, legal disputes, and wasted public funds.

With the deadline for a government response fast approaching, all eyes are on whether the Attorney General will comply with the request or if the courts will be forced to step in to determine the fate of Belize’s electoral process.

Manuel Novelo Returns with New Book: “A Belizean Story”

Ten years after his debut, The Sacred Maya: Smoke Shell, Belizean author Manuel Novelo is back with a captivating new release. Set in 1960s Orange Walk, A Belizean Story brings Novelo’s original characters into real historical events, weaving a tale that resonates with the Belizean public. The book will soon be available at bookshops across the country.

“This is my new book I would like to present to our Belizean public, our Belizean readers, hoping that not only children, but not only children going to school, but like everybody, adults, everybody will enjoy this book,” Novelo told News 5.

He added, “I always loved writing, creative writing… I’ve done that since I was a child.” He says that his passion for storytelling led him to write several works over the years, though A Belizean Story is his latest published piece.

The book follows three young boys—Patli, Kadal, and their friend—through adventures that intertwine with the history of the village of Palmar. Novelo reveals, “I relate the story or the real history of the village… and how they were forced out of their lands by the British Empire.”

This new book aims to captivate readers of all ages, from children to adults, offering a unique perspective on Belizean history.

Bikers Honour Little Gabriel Orellano’s Passing

Over 28 bikers gathered to honour 6-year-old Gabriel Orellano in a moving tribute following his tragic drowning on Monday. The group arrived at little Gabriel’s grandmother’s house in Belize City and presented a box of monetary gifts.

Gabriel’s uncle told News 5 that the bikers came out in blue and “rode and traced the steps of my nephew for the bike rally, to where he died.”

This comes after Gabriel, an autistic student from Stella Maris School, drowned near the hangar area in Belize City after he wandered off the school grounds unnoticed on Monday afternoon.

An investigation is ongoing to understand how Gabriel managed to leave the premises. On Thursday, Stella Maris held a heartwarming vigil in remembrance of little Gabriel.