Belize and Mexico Renewing MOU for Child Cancer Care

In November, Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard and Special Envoy for the Development of Families and Children Rosanna Briceño met with health officials to discuss Belize’s Memorandum of Understanding with Merida’s Hospital Horan. The government aims to provide treatment access for juvenile cancer patients in Belize and eventually expand to adult radiotherapy. Minister Bernard shared an update on this important initiative.

 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“There was an MOU that had existed that had expired. We have gone into, myself my CEO and Dr. Musa, along with my Special Envoy for families and children, we visited the Iran hospital executive team. We wanted to go earlier, but due to their transition change of presidents and the organization management team had some shifts. So we had a very successful meeting earlier this year with them. We are at the final stage of renewing that MOU. They are providing support, continuous support services for our children, young children who need that service. However, we wanted to also, we went to speak with them to see how they can assist further with women who need that service.  We haven’t been able to sign to that yet because as they are, they have said as well, they have to look at the capacity that they can afford. And so with the expansion that they’re doing in Merida, then we will be able to sit down back, hopefully by the end of this year, early next year to look at that support that can come for our females. But the ministry is always looking at ways and means how we can continue to support those affected by this very dreadful disease. And we remain committed to ensure that we continue to build that partnership with the Horan Hospital, but at the same time continue to support these organizations, these local organizations in being able to have support as well, services for these persons suffering from these illnesses.”