The Trump administration has warned government officials in the region that they might lose their U.S. visas if they keep supporting what they call ‘forced labor’ by the Cuban brigades. The U.S. Government argues that these missions ‘enrich the Cuban regime.’ Belize has been welcoming these medical missions from Cuba for a long time, with doctors, nurses, and other medical staff coming to work here for a while. Today, Minister Bernard wasn’t sweating over his U.S. visa and assured that the Cubans involved in these missions are paid.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“The Cuban people have assisted Belize for many, many decades. In fact, they’re here in this country providing a service towards very rural populations and we don’t own the rights to whether or not the U.S. issues or grants or denies persons. We said that’s the right of the United States government. I don’t want to get into that diplomatic issue but all I can say is that I know that Belize continues to enjoy the relationship we have with Cuba. We also have a good relationship with the United States of America, and I’m very sure that two Foreign Affairs Ministries are working out and having the discussions with the government, clearing up some of the concerns that the U.S. Government had as it relates to the area of what they’re claiming, human trafficking in terms of the Cuban nationals.”
Reporter
“But are you concerned for your own visa or that of your…”
Kevin Bernard
“Jules, I’m a Belizean and a Belizean first. I live in Belize. That’s where my love is and so my focus is to ensure that our Belizean people can continue to benefit from the work that we’re doing as a government, whether or not I travel, the US is far from the most important issue in my life. For now as a minister of government, I’m here to work for my people to ensure we can deliver for the Belizean people. These Cuban doctors get paid a salary in Belize to their own personal accounts that they have in. And so, I don’t see where that is forced labor, but people coming to provide a service and being in for that.”
Before the People’s United Party took power in 2020, its Plan Belize manifesto promised to completely reform the health system. The P.U.P. vowed to update the country’s rundown hospitals, make healthcare affordable nationwide, and help Belizeans overcome the COVID-19 crisis. Tonight, we look at these promises to see if the healthcare sector has improved under the Briceño administration. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with that report.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
In 2020, during a global healthcare crisis, the People’s United Party came to power. The COVID-19 pandemic had caused widespread devastation, and the PUP promised to make strategic changes to Belize’s healthcare system to ensure that all Belizeans have access to essential medical care.
Prime Minister John Briceño
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Nov 12, 2020)
“And as such we will respect the decision of the Belizean people. As of today, we are no longer P.U.P. standard bearers but we are representatives of the people. We are a government of the people of Belize. And I want to assure everyone that we are going to be an open, accountable, and accessible government for the people of Belize.”
In their Plan Belize manifesto, the PUP promised to set up a Public Health Emergency Response Commission to study COVID-19’s impact on Belize and recommend better ways to handle future medical crises. The government quickly secured vaccines and received millions of dollars in equipment donations from foreign allies. They also put strict regulations in place to slow the spread of viruses.
Dr. Julio Sabido, Medical Officer, Ministry of Health & Wellness (File: Oct 15th, 2021)
“The curfew remains from nine p.m. to four a.m. Restaurants, saloons, diners and other similar establishments are allowed to operate. They may offer dining-in services by reservations only, but for no more than fifty percent of the seating capacity and for fully vaccinated persons only. Restaurants that have proper ventilation or a restaurant that has, an open-air restaurant or an outdoor restaurant, or an alfresco dining restaurant that is allowed to operate may offer dining in services by reservation only for no more than seventy-five percent of its seating capacity, with fully vaccinated persons only.”
The manifesto also promised to appoint a wellness minister to lead a national campaign for healthier living. Initially, the Briceno administration chose Michel Chebat as Minister of Health and Wellness. However, things got chaotic when the ministry’s CEO, Dr. Deysi Mendez, left after just one year. As the ministry struggled to find a suitable replacement, Prime Minister John Briceño replaced Chebat with Kevin Bernard as the new health minister.
Prime Minister John Briceño (File: Jan 17, 2022)
“He took it over when the pandemic was at its worst and the Ministry had absolutely no plan and so he took that on and rolled up his sleeves and worked hard day in, day out. Could he have done certain things better? Of course! We could always look back, as we say, looking back you have twenty-twenty vision. But I want to again, put on record, my appreciation for the tremendous work that Michel Chebat did during this very, very difficult time.”
Every year, non-communicable diseases (NCDs) like diabetes and hypertension remain the leading cause of death in Belize. The PUP has promised to improve care for these diseases and work with the Ministry of Education to fully introduce health education in schools to prevent NCDs. In 2023, the ministry launched the Healthy Habits, Healthy Schools, Healthy Belize project, which provides healthier meals to students and cuts down on sugary drinks. The following year, Belize joined the HEARTS Initiative to fight cardiovascular diseases in the region. The ministry has also successfully rolled out the National Health Insurance (NHI) to provide affordable healthcare services to Belizeans nationwide.
“As you are aware, the rollout of the entire district has commenced. There have been consultations that is taking place. The plan is that by the end of this year, we should have NHI across the entire country. So there is a process. I think that in May, we are looking at targeting the Cayo side and then Belmopan city, and then we go on to the other surrounding villages because Cayo district is very huge. It is our hope that by the end of the year, as I said, we would have full coverage of NHI across the entire country.”
The government also planned to support the development of the medical science faculty at the University of Belize. However, in 2024, they faced backlash for deciding to spend millions on land for a university hospital, even though the university had offered free land for the project.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness (File: August 8, 2024)
“I would not be able to speak on the cost of the land. That is, that is something that is, 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.”
The government has expanded healthcare services across Belize by opening the Placencia Polyclinic and building the San Pedro and Caye Caulker Hospital. They’ve also made several updates to health posts in rural villages, especially in southern Belize. Britney Gordon for News Five.
Cabinet has given the green light to write off $54 million in debts owed to Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital by its patients. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard mentioned that this includes debts racked up by those hospitalized during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
“We committed in Plan Belize to making healthcare accessible and equitable. We committed in Plan Belize to always work to making the lives of Belizean better, to making decision in the best interest of our people and country. Today I stand before you to announce with great pride, that our Cabinet has given its approval for the KHMHA to take the lead with the write off of fifty-four million dollars in uncollected death, specifically for the period March 2009, to April 2022. This amounts includes debts accrued during the COVID years, a time when many of our citizens face unprecedented challenges. This is Plan Belize at work.”
A family from Yo Creek, Orange Walk is left with many unanswered questions after a loved one tragically passed away shortly after returning home from the hospital early Sunday morning. Rolando Garcia was either harmed or had an accident while riding his bicycle in the early hours of Sunday. He was found in a ditch, submerged in water, and rushed to the Northern Regional Hospital for treatment. Garcia had a gash on his head and received stitches, but his family was shocked to find him back home just a few hours after they were informed, he had been taken to the hospital. News Five’s Marion Ali brings us more on this puzzling and heartbreaking story.
Marion Ali, Reporting
Rolando Garcia left home on Saturday night, telling his family he was off to hang out with friends, just like he did every Saturday after work. Tragically, less than 24 hours later, the construction worker was found submerged in a ditch on the roadside. His family is left with more questions than answers about what happened after he left home and why he was discharged so quickly from the Northern Regional Hospital early Sunday morning. His nephew, Mark Cabrera, shared with News Five that they were shocked to find Garcia at home on Sunday morning, especially after receiving a call the night before saying he had been taken to the hospital.
Mark Cabrera
Mark Cabrera, Nephew of Deceased
“He told me he was feeling dizzy. His breathing was very labored and he had trouble breathing. He had very shallow breathing, of course, and he had a lot of noise. You could hear wheezing exactly when he was breathing. So thereafter, we contacted my aunt as well to come look for him and we took him inside. I asked him what happened because I saw his head was bandaged up all over and it seemed like the gauze was here (pointing). So I asked him what happened to you? Did someone hit you? Did you fall? He mentioned he doesn’t remember. And, it was not even fifteen minutes after him being there when he started sort of convulsing, I guess, because he said he wanted to spit every time he’s spitting and spitting, I noticed he’s spitting blood.”
“The situation went from bad to worse in no time,” Cabrera recounted. His uncle’s condition deteriorated rapidly, and before they could rush him back to the hospital, he was already limp and motionless.
Mark Cabrera
“He mentioned that he wanted to sleep, that he was tired so we’re speaking, you know, let’s wait a little longer. My aunt is coming and so he was speaking to my mom when he started convulsing. When I looked at him, his eyes were sort of rolling over the place and same time my aunt reached right at the nick of time. We managed to put him in the back of the pickup. We rushed along the way. I was giving him CPR in the back of the pickup, but as soon as we pass, I say around Cuello’s, I saw that his eyes roll back and he became limp. Now that we reached the hospital, I told the doctors my uncle was just released maybe an hour, two hours ago, because we didn’t know exactly how long he was there. The doctors and nurses that came out, they looked at him, they were stunned. Right because they just had attended to him.”
Cabrera shared that when he questioned the medical team about why his uncle was released so quickly, they claimed Rosado had discharged himself voluntarily. However, Cabrera revealed that before his uncle passed away, he told him the exact opposite.
Mark Cabrera
“I was asking them what happened. I mean my uncle was just here you guys should have him for observation. They should have taken care of him. I didn’t know how big his cut was until I was giving him CPR and the bandage fell off. That’s when I saw it was like maybe like four fingers. I was speaking to the doctor, I guess the one in charge. I asked him what happened. I mean my uncle came and you guys didn’t provide proper and due care to my uncle, just stitched him. First they had mentioned that he had already released himself.”
Marion Ali
“Did he tell you before he died if he walked out voluntarily or did they release him?”
Mark Cabrera
“No, he told me that they had released him.”
Marion Ali
“He said they released him?”
Mark Cabrera
“Yeah, they released him, yes.”
Marion Ali
“And what are they saying to you now?”
Mark Cabrera
“They mentioned that he released himself, that he decided to go.”
Whether Garcia left the hospital on his own or was discharged is one of the many questions currently under investigation. Felix Rhaburn, the manager of the Northern Regional Hospital, is at the center of this inquiry.
Marion Ali
“Can you say at this point, whether he voluntarily walked out, released himself, or was released by the hospital?”
Felix Rhaburn
Felix Rhaburn, Manager, Northern Regional Hospital
“That is also a part of the investigation.”
Marion Ali
“Is there anything you can share with us preliminarily at this stage?”
Felix Rhaburn
“That it is under investigation.”
Marion Ali
“What about first observations that the medical team made when he came in?”
Felix Rhaburn
“That’s also a part of the investigation.”
Marion Ali
“Can you say when this information will be released?”
Felix Rhaburn
“It is very dependent on the schedule of the postmortem examination.”
Marion Ali
“For the scope of the investigation, who all will be interviewed?”
Felix Rhaburn
“For the investigation, we normally interview the people who had direct contact with the client, and we also go on the report of the postmortem examination.”
Marion Ali
“That would be standard procedure for an investigation?”
Felix Rhaburn
“For the nature of this case, yes.”
The Minister of Health has chosen to hold off on making any comments until the investigation is fully completed.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“I will not respond to something that I don’t have proper information on. So I have, our team is investigating the matter to find out exactly what really transpired. Before I can comment, I prefer to wait until I get a full briefing from the regional manager and through Dr. Polanco, who was doing the research and investigation on that issue.”
On Tuesday, the National Health Insurance (NHI) team met with medical professionals in Belmopan to talk about rolling out NHI in the area. The government is getting ready to accept bids from primary care providers to serve Belmopan residents under the NHI program. They aim to have NHI available across the entire Cayo District by mid-2025. Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, shared more details about the plan for nationwide coverage.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“As you are aware, the rollout of the entire district has commenced. There have been consultations that is taking place. The plan is that by the end of this year, we should have NHI across the entire country. So there is a process. I think that in May, we are looking at targeting the Cayo side and then Belmopan city, and then we go on to the other surrounding villages because Cayo district is very huge. It is our hope that by the end of the year, as I said, we would have full coverage of NHI across te entire country.”
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.”
Recently, there have been reports of a shortage of Risperidone in Belize. This medication is crucial for treating psychiatric disorders like schizophrenia because it’s both affordable and effective. We spoke with the Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, about the ministry’s plan to tackle this shortage.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
“If you’re referring to patients suffering from mental illness, there has been some issues but the Ministry continuously tries our very best to procure these medications in a timely manner. There are times that it’s very out of our control. But just recently, I know we, we recently ordered some of these urgent medications. These are very delicate medications and we are making sure we can make these available in a very timely manner. I cannot speak much to that, but I can tell you that we are doing very everything possible to ensure that we have supply in the country so that we’re able to attend to our patients that needs these services. Now, we have people that are host at the Palm View Center and other facilities that we do provide these services. The demand and supply chain sometimes constantly disrupts our medication supplies. And so we have to look around and see how best we can address those things. But let me assure those persons and those families that we’re doing our very best to ensure that we have those medication supplies so we can provide to those who need them.”
Since his inauguration a few weeks ago, President Donald Trump has cut funding for several foreign aid initiatives. This decision has impacted various programs in Belize, especially those providing healthcare assistance. We spoke with Minister of Health, Kevin Bernard, to find out how Belize plans to continue offering modern healthcare to its citizens despite the loss of additional funding.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“Well remember that we continue to benefit from the technical support that these people will provide. And while the U.S. pulled away, I think it’s just a temporary pulling away, I’m pretty sure, from the World Health Organization, Belize continues to benefit from many other things, but we are doing our part. And this is the reason why the NHI rolled out the being provided to our citizens to be able to help people have access to free primary health care, almost free. Secondary fees that we have removed across this country also give access to health care. Ms. Kim, Simplis Barrow mentioned in her message today. that we want to see the barriers removed for women to have access to HPV [vaccines]. And it is a fact that we have removed those barriers, and this is the reason why health care access is affordable in this country. So despite that challenge, we will continue to do what we can to ensure that we move our country forward and to continue to build a resilient health system. And as I said, the health system is not just built on the funding, but it’s also built on the resilience and the technical support that the corporation will get from other stakeholders like PAHO. They have been very instrumental in looking at our strengthening of our strategic plan, our new revised health plan that we are launching very soon. That is the commitment that we have. The elimination of cervical cancer is a commitment that Belize has put forward and many other things that we want we want to achieve over the next few years. It is important to understand that despite what is happening in the U.S. and around those issues. We continue to remain steadfast, focused, and determined to improve health care in this country.”
Belize is facing a worrying rise in cervical cancer cases, a disease that is entirely preventable. Despite this, it’s still one of the most common cancers affecting women worldwide, especially in low-income countries like Belize. To tackle this pressing issue, the Belize Cancer Society, the Ministry of Health, and the Pan-American Health Organization (PAHO) came together today to host the Empowering Women and Girls against Cervical Cancer Awareness Forum in Belize City. Our very own News Five’s Britney Gordon was on the scene to bring us the latest updates from the event.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Cervical cancer claims over thirty-four thousand lives each year in the Americas, and Belize unfortunately has one of the highest rates of both incidents and deaths in the region. The good news is that this disease is treatable and even curable, especially when detected early. To help combat this serious issue, the Belize Cancer Society hosted a cervical cancer awareness forum today, aiming to educate women on the crucial steps they can take to eliminate cervical cancer in Belize.
Kim Simplis-Barrow
Kim Simplis-Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society
“So today we are hosting the cervical cancer forum for women and girls against cervical cancer and this, of course, this event is to create awareness and to empower women. We had the official opening this morning, and this afternoon we’ll be doing HPV testing and vaccination in partnership with the Ministry of Health and PAHO.”
The main culprit behind cervical cancer is the Human Papillomavirus (HPV), a virus that’s spread through sexual contact. At today’s forum, attendees had the opportunity to get free testing and vaccinations, making it easier than ever to take proactive steps against this preventable disease.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“It’s also very important to also note that young boys can also carry the virus and pass it on to a female. And it is about education, it’s about caring, and I think the forum will also allow for persons who have gone through this issue and survived the, this dreadful disease. to share their experiences and to encourage others to take advantage of the support that is available to them.”
Great news for Belizeans! The HPV vaccine is available at no cost and is highly recommended for girls aged nine to fourteen. This is a fantastic opportunity to protect our young generation from cervical cancer right from the start.
Kevin Bernard
“We started when, remember, the vaccine was implemented in Belize way back in 2016. It had a cost at the time. But in 2023 when it was actually relaunched after Covid we have seen much more personal taking on the vaccines and we encourage people to continue to take that vaccine. As I said cervical cancer, which is highlighted in this world is preventable. It’s a disease that can be prevented it can be managed. And so we want to encourage people, and this form is about that. It’s about making sure you bring awareness the effects of cervical cancer. It’s also to bring awareness to females who can end up with that situation.”
The event featured an impressive lineup of panelists, including an oncologist, a non-communicable disease specialist, and a powerful testimony from a survivor.
Kim Simplis-Barrow
“The Belize Cancer Society, of course, our mandate is to advocate and empower women and girls and men and boys against cancer. It was very important because cancer is one of the most treatable and preventable diseases, cancers. And so for us, it’s very important to, as we reflect on where we are as a country in terms of cervical cancer, to do more so that we can really and truly eliminate cervical cancer in Belize.”
By spreading the word and encouraging regular screenings, Belizeans can save the lives of countless women and girls, while also easing the burden on our healthcare system.
Kevin Bernard
“Belize signed on to the elimination initiative for cervical cancer, and that’s where we want to go. By the end of 2030, it’s a global challenge that we all signed on to see that we could eliminate cancer, cervical cancer, across the globe.”
In today’s interview, Commissioner of Police Chester Williams revisited the shooting incident involving PC Sheldon Arzu and twenty-four-year-old Emil Rivers in Independence Village. Reports indicate that Rivers was experiencing mental health issues during his encounter with the officers. ComPol Williams admitted that the department needs to improve how officers handle situations involving individuals with mental health struggles.
Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police
“I believe we failed or we are failing our officers to some extend in not providing the relevant training and tools to be able to address mental health issues. Mental health is becoming more and more a reality in our country. You will find that people who do not even have a history with mental health would suddenly develop a mental health issue. I think we must do more to sensitize our officers in terms of how to deal with people with mental health issues, as well as give them the right tools to be able to address when matters reaches that stage where force needs to be used. Regrettably the only thing available to officers is their firearm with lethal ammunition. I wish and I am hoping we will change that shortly. I am in communication with my senior command to see what we can do to change that. We want to make sure we can equip every police station with shotgun and rubber bullets and instead of using lethal weapons in these circumstances we can use the rubber bullet to decelerate the situations that reaches that level. In process I will discuss with the minister as well as the minister of human development to see what we can do. We can also look at introducing tasers. We don’t have laws that govern the use of tasers. We might have to go to AG and see how we can get tasers into the police act to include tasers as part of the weapon police can use.”
