Belize & Honduras Explore Medical Exchange
Belize is looking beyond its borders to expand healthcare opportunities for patients and medical professionals. Health Minister Kevin Bernard recently joined Prime Minister John Briceño on an official visit to Honduras, where he explored the possibility of establishing a medical exchange program between the two countries. The proposed partnership could open the door to shared expertise, specialized training and greater access to medical services. Bernard says discussions are now underway to determine how Belize and Honduras can work together to strengthen healthcare delivery.
Kevin Bernard
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
“Our visit, of course you know the prime minister went on an official visit, but part of it was for me to be able to also put out there that proposed MOU that we could share with the Honduran government. I know that back in 1991 I think, they had an MOU where there were cultural and educational exchange. So we said, lets see If we can work on a medical exchange program, not just for us to attract doctors from Honduran. They themselves have human resource shortage. It does not only apply to Belize. It applies to everybody across the region. So all of us have similar challenges, however they have the opportunities where our Belizean doctors can access their education system as well to do their residency program. So that is the type of exchange we are talking about. That is the type of discussion we are having where we could have that mutual exchange of health professionals with both countries.”
According to Bernard, discussions are just beginning, with technical teams yet to meet.
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