2024-11-12 - Channel 5 Belize

Is NTUCB a Better Option for K.H.M.H. Board?

Last week, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union (K.H.M.H.A.W.U.) sat down with the Prime Minister to discuss a proposed amendment to the K.H.M.H. Act. This change would have replaced the union’s representative on the hospital’s board of governors with someone from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.). After some pushback from the union, the government agreed to let the union nominate two candidates, from which one would be chosen for the board. However, in an interview on Monday, Health Minister Kevin Bernard mentioned that he hadn’t been updated on the final decision and still supported the idea of appointing the N.T.U.C.B. representative. Here’s what he had to say.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“The KHMH union represents the workers, they have been tasked with the, in fact the union representative who sits on the board and I will not go to my own personal perceptional views of Mister Baird that’s, that’s outside of this, has been given umpteen times to come up with a CBA that will best approach the issues that the workers and the employees of KHMH that falls under the union have been clamoring for. We have not gotten at a single document to propose to the board.”

Reporter

“So it’s decided that he will be changed out now that you’re not going forward with that amendment?”

Kevin Bernard

“Well it’s not that he will be changed out. The KHMH Union suggests a member, I am the Minister of Health, to appoint members to the KHMH governing body Then they make their suggestions and if we feel that this suggestion that they are suggesting, I have received a letter that Mr. Alain Gonzalez is now going to be their representative to the board. However, we, I have not made any appointment of that nature yet because we are at the process where we were making an amendment. I still personally feel that The best approach is to put a member appointed by the NTUCB, but who is not a member of the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Union. There’s many reasons for that. It’s to avoid conflicts and to also ensure that there’s wider representation from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize, who will also have a higher, a better voice, not only for the union members, but for every employee that is, that works under the Carl Huston Mural Hospital. I know that it has come out of House committee. We have not made a final decision as to whether we will proceed with this. We will look at and listen to the concerns and from there we will take it from there.”

Reporter

“The NTUCB president said though that you were backtracking after the meeting with the PM and the Minister of Public Service.”

Kevin Bernard

“Like I said I saw that they had a meeting with the prime minister, that we are going to cabinet today to do a follow up on that same discussion. So I will leave it at that.”

K.H.M.H.A.W.U. Representative to be Placed on Hospital’s Board

On Monday, Health Minister Kevin Bernard shared his view that a representative from the National Trade Union Congress of Belize (N.T.U.C.B.) would be the ideal choice to represent the unions on the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital’s board of governors, instead of someone from the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority Workers Union. However, he later mentioned that a compromise had been reached: the government and the union agreed to nominate two KHMHAWU members, with one being selected for the board. Earlier today, we spoke with N.T.U.C.B. President Luke Martinez, who confirmed that the Prime Minister’s decision is final, and the matter is no longer up for debate. Here’s what he had to say.

Luke Martinez, President. N.T.U.C.B.

“In my view, we’re beyond we’re beyond this conversation. I don’t think that we should be having this conversation. The National Trade Union and Congress met with the prime minister, as we’re all aware last week, and we discuss several issues, including the amendment to the KHMH Union Act. And we had come to a compromise or an agreement that the KHMH Union would have an opportunity to nominate two of their members. And the government would appoint one out of them. I think that I don’t know why. where we’re still having this conversation. And I don’t know that decision has been moved, no? So that is where we are in my view. Most of these boards they whether government or statutory they have a tripartite structure, meaning government representative, workers representative, and private sector representative. And so the National Trade Union Congress forms a part of the tripartite structure or the respective union in some of these establishments, for example, KHMH, the collective bargaining rights is that is with the KHMH union, and they would form a part of the collective bargaining structure on the part of that tribe, right? That structure, and so all they were saying is that they wanted to keep it that way.”

Health Minister Defends GOB’s Drug Act Amendment

Last month, the Government of Belize overhauled the old Food and Drug registration, licensing, and inspection regulations, introducing new laws to better oversee pharmaceutical products. Amid these legislative changes, the Ministry of Health’s Chief Drug Inspector resigned to join the private sector. Tonight, Health Minister Kevin Bernard confirmed that a new health inspector is being considered for the role. He also explained how the drug inspection unit has been working diligently to ensure that essential medicines remain available in Belize.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“You have seen where our drug inspectorate unit our inspectors have been out. If it was not because of them, we would not have been able to pick up on many of these issues that we’ve seen. We have won cases where we have seen contraband medications coming in, where we have seized, and we work very closely with the Customs and Police Department. And that just proves that work has been going on by that unit. We are serious when it comes to ensuring that the pharmaceuticals, the medications that are coming into this country is of standard. And that’s one of the reasons why our people go out and do constant investigations, constant review of facilities across the country, private and public. And we need to ensure that this is safety of our people. To say that this amendment to the drug act that we are proposing is going to allow these pharmaceutical companies to do the same thing or more, that is not we’re trying to strengthen it. We’re trying to bring in more penalties to ensure that we do not see the repeat of these type of things. If you look at the act completely, it speaks of many regulations it’s a draft at this point in time I was able to take it to commit for approval and then it goes through the necessary. Process of farther content. No, remember this entire bill was had several consultations done across the various sectors of the and we need to ensure that we’re following international regulations set out by the WHO and other agencies. And so we have developed this bill to ensure for the safety of our people and for proper regulations to take place.”

Health Minister Addresses Investigations at Southern Regional Hospital

Recently, the Southern Regional Hospital staff found themselves under scrutiny due to an investigation into the misappropriation of funds. Police have arrested accounts clerk Thalia Gillett for misusing funds. Additionally, in October, custodian Lyndon Parham was charged with sexual assault after allegedly kissing his unconscious boss at the hospital. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard reassures the public that these incidents have been thoroughly investigated and proper protocols followed. He emphasizes that the hospital’s reputation should not be tarnished by these isolated events.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness

“When I got the report, I got the call we started the investigation. I asked the CEO to look into the matter and we found that there were some improperties done at the Southern Regional Hospital however I cannot speak to the issue because it’s in the, it’s going to be in the court and so I don’t want to divulge anything at this point in time that will. In terms of this case, we are going, all I’m saying is that we did our investigation. It’s matter now in the hands of the police who will take the matter to the court. And from there, then we can provide a better response.”

Reporter

“But as the Minister of Health, can you talk to us about what’s going down in Dangriga? We actually had a case of sexual assault coming from that hospital as well. Most recently, are you guys concerned about the culture down at the southern regional?”

Kevin Bernard

“It’s an unfortunate situation that occurred, but you cannot say this is a culture at the Southern Regional. You’re putting everybody in the same wrong shoe. That’s wrong to say that, man. And you need to correct that. I do not agree that we can put every one of our health people, health professionals that are working hard to improve health outcomes in this country, in the shoe of somebody who made us a terrible, grave error. That is another matter that is going before the necessary processes. It is. As if a person is permanently employed, he has to go to the commission. We will not hold back on any investigation of anything, anybody doing any wrongdoing. I’ve said this from the very beginning. We will go through the processes that has to be followed, but we do it by the rule of law.”

House Speaker Shares Cancer Diagnosis

Speaker of the House of Representatives Valerie Woods told the House today that she has been diagnosed with breast cancer. She said that her ability to preside over parliamentary sessions might be impacted in the coming weeks due to the recent diagnosis.

While Woods emphasised her commitment to fulfilling her duties, she expressed hope that members would understand if she needed to be absent to undergo treatment.

With gratitude for their understanding, she continued with the session, calling for the vote. “All those in favor, kindly say aye. Those against, kindly say no. I think the ayes have it.”

This is a developing story.

COP29 Bulletin: Key Developments on Fossil Fuels, Emissions Targets, and Climate Finance

“The sound you hear is the ticking clock. We are in the final countdown to limit global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. And time is not on our side,” said UN Secretary-General António Guterres at the COP29 Climate Action Summit in Baku today. Guterres called for urgent climate action, saying, “doubling down on fossil fuels is absurd.” He warned that achieving the goal of limiting global warming to 1.5°C requires countries to “slash global fossil fuel production and consumption by 30%” by 2030.

“On climate finance, the world must pay up, or humanity will pay the price,” Guterres warned, adding that “climate finance is not charity; it’s an investment.”

In response, Azerbaijan’s President Ilham Aliyev defended his country’s oil and gas exports as a “gift of the god.” Speaking in Baku today, Aliyev criticised his international critics and denied Azerbaijan is a “petrostate,” despite the fact that oil and gas account for two-thirds of the country’s revenue. He said, “I understand that this topic is not very popular at a climate change conference, but, without that, my comments would not be complete.” Aliyev said American “fake news media” should look at their own country, the world’s biggest oil and gas producer.

In another key announcement, UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer set a new emissions reduction target of 81% by 2035, building on the country’s climate leadership. “Starmer had failed to match strong words with a strong plan of action,” said Rosemary Harris of Oil Change International.

The developing nations’ group, the G77, made a bold demand for climate finance at the summit, insisting on $1.3 trillion per year to address mitigation, adaptation, and loss and damage. They rejected proposals to expand the contributor base to wealthier emerging economies like China and Saudi Arabia. Developing countries say they will not even negotiate on any text that has expanding this base as an option.

UN climate chief Simon Stiell stressed the importance of climate finance, calling it “global inflation insurance” to protect against the rising economic costs of climate change. He said, “Climate action is fast becoming an economy-killer,” pointing out that the impact of climate disasters is “carving up to 5% off GDP in many countries.”

COP29 President: “We are on a road to ruin.”

Deadly Prison Riot in Ecuador Leaves 15 Inmates Dead

At least 15 inmates were killed and 14 others injured in a violent clash early Tuesday at Ecuador’s El Litoral prison, notorious for frequent and deadly gang violence. The prison service SNAI reported that the “grave incidents” occurred in the pre-dawn hours at the Guayaquil-based facility.

Security forces have since regained control of the prison, and a comprehensive search of the premises is underway.

El Litoral has a grim history of violent gang clashes; its deadliest incident in September 2021 left over 120 inmates dead. Nearby residents reported hearing gunfire early Tuesday, and police tactical units were seen entering the facility while a helicopter circled above.

Authorities have not yet disclosed details about the identities of those killed, and an investigation is ongoing to determine the cause of the fight.

The prison holds some of Ecuador’s most dangerous gang members, many of whom continue to operate their criminal networks from within. Prison staff often face threats and intimidation from the inmates. In September, El Litoral’s director, María Daniela Icaza, was shot and killed in her car after receiving numerous threats, according to her family.

Ecuador has been grappling with a dramatic rise in gang-related violence, transforming the country from one of Latin America’s safest to one of its most perilous.

Belize Does Not Have An Auditor General

Prime Minister John Briceño responded to several pressing topics in an interview, beginning with the Senate’s recent decision to block the Auditor General Bill.

As we reported, Senator for Government Business, Eamon Courtenay, acknowledged that asking the Senate to endorse a four-month appointment for an Auditor General is less than ideal, but he stressed that it reflects the current circumstances. He reminded the Senate that Dorothy Bradley had been brought out of retirement, with her contract extended until its expiration in August, leaving the Auditor General role vacant since then. Courtenay referenced the 2001 constitutional amendment permitting the appointment of an Acting Auditor General, and the government has recommended Deputy Auditor General Maria Rodriguez for this interim position.

The Senate, however, blocked Rodriguez’s appointment.

During the interview, Briceño expressed disappointment, noting the country is currently without an Auditor General, which hampers government oversight. “I can’t understand their logic. It’s a flawed logic. The point is that we don’t have an Auditor General. We wanted to appoint one, a temporary one, once we advertise, and have people to come in and apply for that post, looking at either in house or outside of the service. And we do recognize that it is a very specialized skill, and that we may need to have to pay them more than what the service pays. I think that you need to ask the geniuses of those that voted against that. Because then, we are without an Auditor General and the work of the government continues.”

Senate Debates Having Acting AG for four months

Police Investigate Stabbing Incident in Belize City

Belize City police are investigating a stabbing incident that occurred in Belize City on Monday afternoon. Around 2:55 p.m., officers responded to a report on Pickstock Street and learnt that 27-year-old Charles Foreman had been stabbed and subsequently transported to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) for medical treatment.

Preliminary findings indicate that Foreman was socialising with 23-year-old Andrew Holder on Rhaburns Alley when an altercation broke out between the two men. During the dispute, Holder allegedly stabbed Foreman.

LSU Archaeologists Uncover Earliest Maya Salt Works in Belize

Archaeologists from Louisiana State University (LSU) and the University of Texas at Tyler have uncovered the earliest known ancient Maya salt works in southern Belize. This discovery, detailed in the journal Antiquity, was led by LSU Alumni Professor Heather McKillop, who first found wooden buildings and artefacts preserved beneath the sea floor in 2004, including the only known ancient Maya wooden canoe paddle.

McKillop’s collaborator, Assistant Professor Elizabeth Sills from the University of Texas at Tyler, began working on this project as a master’s student and later as a doctoral student at LSU. Since the team’s initial discovery, they have identified a network of underwater sites featuring “salt kitchens” used to boil seawater, residences for salt workers, and other pole-and-thatch buildings—all remarkably preserved in red mangrove peat across shallow coastal lagoons.

By 2024, the researchers had mapped approximately 70 underwater sites, with over 4,000 wooden posts marking the outlines of ancient structures. In their 2023 excavation at a site known as Jay-yi Nah, the team noted its scarcity of broken pottery, unlike other salt works. The few pottery fragments discovered resembled those from Wild Cane Cay, a nearby island site also excavated by McKillop.

Further study of the artefacts and radiocarbon dating on wooden posts revealed that Jay-yi Nah dates back to the Early Classic period (AD 250–600), making it significantly older than other nearby sites. Unlike later salt works, which were integral to a larger trade network during the Late Classic period, Jay-yi Nah appears to have operated as a smaller, locally focused enterprise connected to Wild Cane Cay. Evidence of fish bones preserved at Wild Cane Cay suggests that salt produced at Jay-yi Nah may have been used to preserve fish for local consumption or trade.

This discovery sheds new light on the origins and development of salt production in the Maya region, providing a glimpse into how small-scale local operations evolved into the extensive salt trade that supported Maya civilisation at its peak.

British Museum Charges $225 BZD to View Looted Xunantunich Altar Hidden from Belizeans