2024-04-22 - Channel 5 Belize

Belize’s Beloved Doctor Fernado Cuellar Loses Battle to Cancer

Belize’s beloved Doctor Fernando Cuellar lost his battle to cancer over the weekend. Earlier this month, his family released a statement informing that Doctor Cuellar was diagnosed with cancer of the blood while seeking medical attention in the U.S. And this weekend, the tragic news of his passing was announced. A release from his family notes that he passed away at the Memorial Care Saddle Back Hospital, surrounded by his children and siblings. Dedicated, compassionate, truthful, and caring are just some of the words his colleagues and patients have used to describe him. Doctor Cuellar never shied away from the media and many times shared views that made him a hero in the hearts of many and an adversary in the eyes of some. Notwithstanding how he may have been viewed, Doctor Fernando Cuellar led a life service to the nation. News Five’s Paul Lopez takes a closer look at his life and contributions. Here is that report.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

On Saturday April twentieth, the nation lost one of its most revered medical practitioners, Doctor Fernando Cuellar. On April second, his family issued a statement that he had been diagnosed with blood cancer. Only eighteen days later, the unexpected occurred. Marleni Cuellar, an immediate family member of Dr. Cuellar, told us that it all came as a shock to the family.

Marleni Cuellar, Cousin of Deceased

“Well I think we are all still in shock. I feel for his siblings, I feel for his children. I feel for his medical colleagues, because he was a workaholic. He was always at his hospital. And, I think they had a close relationship because he was so present there. I feel for his patients because I have had people message me saying he always made me feel like his favorite patient and now that I see the outpouring of love I realize he did that for everyone and that is the truth. It is difficult to process. The cancer was rare and aggressive, and I think there was not enough time to come to terms that this would be the end result.”

Doctor Cuellar began his journey to becoming a medical practitioner almost four decades ago along with his longtime friend and colleague Doctor Victor Rosado. Their careers have taken similar paths since starting medical school in Guatemala City back in 1985. They both worked at the Old Belize City Hospital in the early ‘90s, later at KHMH, and finally joined forces at Belize Medical Associates in 2001. Doctor Rosado spoke with us about Doctor Cuellar’s incomparable dedication to his patients.

Dr. Victor Rosado, Colleague of Dr. Fernando Cuellar

“What you and many people don’t know about Dr. Cuellar or Tony, or we would call him ‘star doctor’, is that he comes from very humble beginnings. His mother was a nurse, so when we came back as junior doctors, his mother was still a sister at old Belize City Hospital, so his compassion, his caring for his patients, his flare to talk in, he would like to say, Belize language, comes from his origins. He never doubted where he came from. He never doubted where he came from. He embraced it. He loved Belize. He loved his career. That is what he lived his life for, his adult life.”

And many would agree that his dedication to his patients stemmed from his passion to see Belizeans receive the best healthcare service possible in both the public and private sectors. He never shied away from media interviews, whether to disseminate information on various health topics or to share his thoughts on ways those in authority can improve the level of healthcare services offered to Belizeans. Isani Cayetano, the News Director at News 5, reflected on his numerous professional encounters with Dr. Cuellar.

Isani Cayetano, News Director, News 5

“I think it is a major loss for the country, in terms of those who access the healthcare system both at a public and private level. It is a loss for us in the media as well, simply because he was our consultant. If we need any kind of professional opinion with anything that had to do with medicine about the local healthcare system or what have you. Dr. Cuellar was always willing to share his knowledge and expertise with us. And I think one thing I could always say that I admired about him, is his candor. He never held any punches. He always said exactly what needed to be said and took no prisoners. And so because of that perhaps others would have seen him as sort of a controversial figure, but at the same time, he was direct in what needed to be said.”

Dr. Victor Rosado, Colleague of Dr. Fernando Cuellar

“Actually he developed that later in life. People who know him from high school know him as a very quiet person. I think as he excelled in his professional life he felt comfortable speaking on certain topics, especially when it came to medicine with authority. He had no room for mediocrity. He didn’t like to compromise.”

Marleni Cuellar, Chief Executive Officer, Great Belize Productions

“He and I were always good at having debates. So, it was not a part of him I didn’t know. So, I was not as surprised as most people when he called a spade a spade. He would be the first to say well, somebody has to say it. And people to afraid about connections and what will happen so. I have nothing to lose or fear so I will say.”

Undoubtedly, Doctor Cuellar’s untimely passing comes as a loss to the medical sector, the thousands of patients he encountered throughout his extensive career, and the nation at large. This morning, two of his colleagues, Doctor Jorge Hidalgo and Doctor Pedro Arriaga were on the set of Open Your Eyes reflecting on Doctor Cuellar’s life and contributions.

Dr. Jorge Hidalgo, Colleague of Dr. Fernando Cuellar

“It is very difficult to replace someone, to replace someone in that caliber and respect. Again, I believe and the news in the medical community is a news that takes everyone by surprise because even though everybody we knew that he went for treatment, I believe everybody was with the hope that he is going to put up the battle he did, and we probably was expecting a difficult outcome but life is like that. It is difficult to know what is going to happen.”

There has been an outpouring of love and support on social media from Belizeans to Dr. Cuellar’s family since the announcement of his passing. People have been sharing how this giant in the medical field positively touched their lives. Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

MOHW Minister Reflects on Dr. Cuellar’s Contributions

We also heard from Kevin Bernard, the Minister of Health, on Doctor Cuellar’s passing. Minister Bernard reflected on Doctor Cuellar’s contributions to the medical field, as well as his desire to see better in the public health sector. Here is what Minister Bernard told reporters today.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“I want to extend our deepest condolences on behalf of myself, the ministry, but the wider government and the wider general who have gotten in contact with Dr. Cuellar one way or the other, whether it was a personal conversation I had with Dr. Cuellar when I became the minister in a private discussion and his adamant position on wanting to see better in the public sector and he was right in many ways. He was a very vocal individual but very right in his position. A lot of people may not agree with many things he said, but at the end of the day he wanted better for the country. He wanted to see our health care system improve. He wanted to see life improve and it is so sad he had to encounter such an issue and lost his life, sadly.”

$70,000 Worth of Medical Supplies Donated to Belize

Today, up to seventy thousand dollars’ worth of medical supplies and equipment were donated to Belize by the Unites States government as part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program, supported by the Security Cooperation Office at the U.S. Embassy. This donation included various items such as mannequins for CPR training, vials for containing blood and defibrillators. Practitioners will undergo several training sessions to ensure that Belizean healthcare providers are informed on how to properly handle the equipment, as well as prepare for its use. News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the event earlier today to see the donation.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Today, several boxes of medical supplies and equipment were handed over to Belize as part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program in the United States. This program seeks to alleviate poverty by providing food, shelter, safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene, emergency healthcare services, child protection programs, and education to countries in need of aid. Michelle Kwan, U.S. Ambassador to Belize, spoke with us about the significance of this donation.

Michelle Kwan, U.S. Ambassador to Belize

“We are witnessing a donation made by the Humanitarian Assistance Program, supported by the Security Cooperation Office at the U.S. Embassy. this is donations to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and it’s ensuring that we are providing essential goods medical devices, as you can see, from the babies to other things, from nurse caps to providing support to the Belizeans. The humanitarian assistance program, um, since 2021 has donated over five million U.S. Dollars to Belize. And today is, I have to say, one of my favorite programs because being able to provide these essential needs medical devices, you could see, you know, to me, I look to my right and there’s a baby, right? And it really helps People educate themselves on CPR for pediatric health, but these donations are so important.”

Doctor Francis Morey, Deputy Director of Hospital Services Allied Health, said that training practitioners on how to use the equipment will be the next step in this program and that healthcare providers from various parts of the country will be invited to participate.

Dr. Francis Morey, Deputy Director, Hospital Services Allied Health

“We have mannequins for training in pediatrics, neonatal care. We have mannequins for adult training. The U. S. government has donated this equipment as a follow up agreement that they had. They continue to support us in doing training. They do basic life support training for us, for our physicians and nurses. We have partnerships with other organizations that do training in emergency triage, basic emergency care. These equipment support what we need on the ground to train our physicians and nurses.”

Britney Gordon

“Where will these supplies and equipment be implemented?”

Dr. Francis Morey

“These are mostly for the regional and community hospitals. So when we do trainings, we invite physicians and nurses from everywhere, from all the district hospitals, the polyclinics the help post. For them to do, get up the basic training and come up to, to part out what is happening currently in the world.”

The donation included a variety of supplies, such as necessities and lifesaving equipment.

Dr. Francis Morey

“I believe there’s, we have some six pediatric mannequins, six adult mannequins, we have some, about three or four defibrillators, an EKG machine, cardiac monitors, and some other general stuff that we use for, while we do the trainings and for hospital care.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

New Dormitory Facilities Handed Over to the B.D.F.

Today, soldiers at the Belize Defense Force gathered to celebrate the unveiling of their newly built sleeping quarters. The building was overdue for renovations, and for several years it had been in a dilapidated state with a kitchen that was deemed a health hazard and unfit for use in 2019. The renovations were funded by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, which has allocated fifteen point five million dollars towards the improvement of the B.D.F. Doctor Osmond Martinez, C.E.O. of the Ministry of Economic Development, spoke more about this endeavor.

Dr. Osmond Martinez, C.E.O., Ministry of Economic Development

“Today, I’m so happy that we completed our first dormitory. The second one is almost completed. And the kitchen is well on its way. And we will make sure that it’s not only being done and being completed this year, but that it will be completed at the highest standard. One that you will be proud of, but at the same time, it can serve as a humanitarian support in case of any natural disaster especially in the Belize district. The budget that was allocated to invest or the funds came from CABEI. And there is a total amount of resources that has been allocated to the BDF. And the budget resources is a fifteen point five million Belize dollars that you all will be receiving from CABEI. And that represents almost twenty percent of the total project. So, a lot of emphasis is being put in working with the BDF. It is important to highlight as well that ten troop lifting vehicles have been handed over to the BDF, computers, printers, and map platters and radios and antennas. But it is also important to highlight that our next step is to continue with the Belizario Camp in Punta Gora and the, I forgot the name, but the camp in central form, in Cayo. So we will continue to do some refurbishing in both camps. The consultant recently completed the design of both camps. And we will proceed to do that work hopefully, especially in Punta Gorda. I think the plan is to start somewhere around August of this year.”

Retrofitting Of the Belize Medical Laboratory Underway

The Belize Medical Laboratory is set to undergo some much-needed retrofitting and renovations. This comes as a collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with funding from the European Union. The overall objective of this ten million U.S. dollar program is to elevate the health services in Belize. The facility will be retrofitted to create more space, ensure that building safety standards are met and updated with environmentally friendly technology. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness, shared his excitement over the launch of the project.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“This has been something that yes, indeed, has taken a bit long, but I am very happy that we are, we have reached this milestone today where the EU through the support of PAHO as well, has been able to graciously afford us almost one point three plus million dollars worth of retrofitting at the Central Medical Lab. As the, since the at the Central Medical Lab, there has been a lot of issues with the facility. wise and in terms of spacing. Even though we have invested in terms of increasing the capacity within the Central America Lab, there’s need for better improvement, better work conditions ensuring that the facility is more climate resilient and so forth. And so this retrofitting, groundbreaking today, I is testament to the commitment that as a government and in the support of our partners in PAHO and EU, we have been able to reach to this milestone. And I know that the staff at CML here are very much eager, as I mentioned for this retrofitting. While, as I said, we have been able to see the improvement within the work that is being carried out here at CML. There have been some issues that, Equipment wise, moral wise, anytime you work in an environment that is not conducive to your environment, to working, then it demoralizes you. And so I felt, as I said in my initial message, when I walked in this building the first time I became the Minister of Health, I myself was disappointed. It was really dilapidated, and so I’m happy that we were able to one, get the director, a director on board, who has also had the vision to see the improvement, to work along with her staff, to make sure that we’re able to better provide a service to the Belizean people. That’s number one, priority. And getting this commitment and finally here today is just the start of us ensuring that we can improve. And the next step is for us to ensure that the Central Medical Lab is accredited by the international partners. And the commitment of the director has said to me that by next year, mid next year, it is her hope that Central Medical Laboratory will be certified by our partners in the region.”

Belize On Track to Gain First Ever Paleontologist

Belize is on track to receive its first ever paleontologist with twenty-four-year-old Alson Ovando. In 2021, the Belizean national began his studies at the East Tennessee State University pursuing a master’s degree in geosciences. Ovando plans to bring his knowledge back to Belize and pursue a career as a vertebrate paleontologist, despite the absence in the country. News Five’s Britney Gordon spoke with Ovando to learn more about this academic pursuit. Here’s the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Alson Ovando’s love for paleontology, the study of the record of life on Earth through fossils, started early, when he watched the movie Jurassic Park for the first time. Fascinated by the dinosaurs and their researchers, he told his mom that he wanted to meet a paleontologist.

Alson Ovando, Aspiring Paleontologist

“I’ve been interested in paleontology my entire life. I think you saw from that news article that went out from my school when I was around four years old, I actually saw Jurassic Park for the first time. And I was just super excited to believe that people have this as a job. This is a real thing you could do. I asked my mom. I ran up to her and I was like, Can I meet a paleontologist? And she was like, Liz doesn’t have any paleontologists. The closest thing you could meet is a paleontologist. is an archaeologist, and she told me about Dr. Jaime Awe being a super famous archaeologist, and I’ve always wanted to meet him. And I got to meet him a few years later, like when I was in, doing my bachelor’s degree, but it’s been my life’s dream to do it, just because no one else has tried to do it before, and I was just curious. About all of these questions, I think Belizeans have know that they’re starting to talk about paleontology. Did Belize have dinosaurs? What was the ecology like? What was the ecosystem like back then? Was Belize even our own? Was Belize even a thing? Was it undergrown? Was it underwater? So all of these questions I had to know, I finally get the chance to try and answer them for the first time.”

Ovando, the son of famed Belizean musician Al Ovando, grew up in Dangriga, attending Ecumenical High School, before pursuing a degree in natural resource management at the University of Belize. Eventually, he was able to meet renown Belizean archeologist Jaime Awe at the Belize Archeological Symposium in 2019. Through Awe, Ovando was able to connect with his current advisor at East Tennessee State University.

Alson Ovando

“So doctor Jonathan Jaime Awe, I’ve met him several times throughout the years. And what happens is he actually connected me to my current advisor. I actually was working with the Stann Creek Regional Archaeology Project, which is one of the only archaeology projects that work in the Stann Creek District. And I was a part of their staff for their summer field season. And then I attended the Belize Archaeology Symposium. That’s in San Ignacio every year. And Doctor Awe is there. He usually is like the highlight at every symposium. He was just roaming around, and I stopped to talk to him to tell him what I was up to and that I’m looking into doing my master’s degree. So I just asked him, do you know anyone who’s interested in doing paleontology in Belize? And he was like, yeah, you need to talk to this guy in Tennessee. I think he’d be interested. And when I met my now advisor Doctor Schubert, I was so excited that he was even willing to meet with me. I talked so much, I barely let him explain to me what the school was about or things that I could do, or I was just so happy that someone was finally interested in working with me.”

Despite the uncertainty of a career in the country, Ovando says that he is determined to work in Belize and is prepared carve out a place for himself if necessary.

Britney Gordon

“Are you confident even though there’s such a lack of presence in the paleontology field that you will be able to build a career for yourself here?”

Alson Ovando

“So that’s a very good question. I get that question all the time, actually. So my ultimate goal after I finished my master’s degree is I want to do my PhD in paleontology. Where I do that PhD, I am still unsure. The future is very unpredictable at this point. But when I do get my PhD, I plan to return to Belize to continue studying the paleontology of Belize. I want to make it my life’s career and my life’s work. And at all costs, that’s what I’m going to do. Whether or not I think, if there’s, people want to know what kind of job will I get in Belize? I’ve kinda just had to accept the fact that there might be no job waiting for me and that I might need to create my own job in some way, shape or form.”

Currently, he is on track to graduate in 2025. Ovando’s tuition is waived as part of his program, and he will be able to publish his research upon graduation. He said that for additional funding, he applies for grants and scholarships every semester. He encourages all Belizeans to pursue underrepresented careers, even if the path is difficult. Britney Gordon for News Five.

Anthony Mahler, B.T.B. Mundialito Tournament Returns

Goodnight and welcome to another edition of Sports Monday, I am Paul Lopez. We begin tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday with the return of Anthony Mahler and B.T.B.’s Under-thirteen Mundialito tournament. The tournament began on Saturday morning with an opening ceremony at the Berger Field. Fourteen teams, ten male and four females, lined the field as they were encouraged to play hard and play fair.

Iris Centeno, Director, NSC

“This morning I can see a big crowd and I am very happy to see even girls involved and we are giving priority to the females as well.”

Nicole Solano, Chief Executive Officer, B.T.B.

“I wish all our players a very successful day. I like the comment of nobody getting hurt today but play hard and everybody work their best to win.”

Sergio Chuc, President, FFB

“We are achieving our mission and I want to publicly thank the BTB for partnering with the FFB in doing this program.”

The day began with a match between the defending champions, Belize United and last season’s sub champion, Ladyville Rising Stars. Both teams went through their warmup routines before taking to the field ahead of the starting whistle. Within two minutes of the first of three periods, Rising Star’s Nigel Hulse stuns his opponents with the first goal of the match. Hulse found himself in front of the goal with a loose ball and he capitalized on it. A shot certainly worth celebrating. And the defending champions certainly would not take that one sitting down. Belize United’s Shae Gordon made quick work of a pass inside the penalty box. With a defender and the goalkeeper locked in on him, Gordon managed to slip the ball into the net, tying the game at one a piece. And that is how that one ended.

The second match between Tut Bay F.C. and Phoenix F.C. was less competitive. It was a blowout, in fact. Tut Bay FC scored twelve goals while their opponents finished with zero. On average, a goal was scored every three minutes of play time. The first goal was scored by Tut Bay’s Tyrone Guy Junior in the first minute. A minute later, Kyrone Martinez beats the only defender on him inside the penalty box and puts one past the goalkeeper. Asher Welch scored back-to-back goals in the fifth and eleventh minutes of the first period. Kyrone Martinez came back at the twelfth minute; dribbles past the goalkeeper and puts it in with ease. He finished with a hat trick. So did Adolfo Gomez.

Now let’s move on to some football action at a different level. We are talking about the semifinals in the William Dawson Peace Cup. Four teams competed on Sunday inside the MCC Grounds to see who the top two finalists will be. Tut Bay FC and Fort George played each other in the first match. As the rules mandate, players from both teams lined up and greeted each other at the start of the game as a show of sportsmanship. The starting whistle is blown with Tut Bay FC in control of the ball. Eight minutes into the match, Fort George gets an opportunity by way of a spot kick a short distance outside the penalty box. That translated into a corner kick that was quickly cleared out by defenders. At the twenty-ninth minute, a header off a corner kick almost made its way into the net for Tut Bay. A good stop by the goalkeeper. Nonetheless, this shot at target by Marques Stomp from a difficult angle flew right past the goalkeeper and into the net. Up by one goal to zero, Tut Bay would go on to win the match.

The second match was between Ceaser Ridge FC and Hattieville. It didn’t take long before Ceasar Ridge was on the score board. But this goal was not of their own doing. It was an auto goal, scored by Hattieville’s Brandon Rogers in front of the goal. There is a look of immediate regret. It was not until deep into the second half, at the seventy-seventh minute, that Hattieville would redeem itself with a goal by Alex Henderson. That one left the goalkeeper standing clueless. Tied at one goal each, it is now anybody’s game. After eighty-nine minutes of regular time, it seemed as if this one would go into overtime. But not so fast, a kick from midfield had Hattieville players raising their hands for an offside call. But there was no whistle from the referee. Jalen Babb scored the final goal of the match for Ceasar Ridge FC. The official on the line officially raised her flag for an offside, but after a moment of deliberation it was declared a goal. Hattieville walked off the field and the victory went to Ceasar Ridge FC, the second team to make it to the finals.

And finally for tonight, the BEBL hosted a successful all-star evening on Sunday. Devon Campbell from the Belize City Defenders won the three-point shootout and secured the cash prize. Nigel Jones, also from the Belize City Defenders, successfully defended his all-star slam dunk title. He walked away with two thousand dollars cash. And, in the all-star game, the home team, led by Jayden Lopez, defeated the away team, one hundred and twenty-two points to one hundred and twelve points. The MVP award went to Sidibe Bourama.

Well Folks, that is all we have for you in tonight’s coverage of Sports Monday. Catch you in the next one.