Belize Rolls Out New HIV Support and Prevention Programmes

Belize faces one of the highest HIV prevalence rates in Central America, with 1.3% of the general population living with the virus, according to the United Nations. This rate is above the Caribbean average of 1.2%. “An estimated 3,700 people are living with HIV in the country with about half of them on treatment. While new infections have declined by 29% since 2010, surpassing the regional average reduction of 22%, challenges persist,” the UN reported in a statement in November 2024.

Meanwhile, the Government of Belize has moved to strengthen its HIV efforts through a new partnership. The Ministry of Economic Transformation (MET) and the National Health Insurance (NHI) signed a Memorandum of Understanding on Monday to improve access to prevention and treatment services nationwide.

The MOU focuses on two main goals. First, it will provide nutritional and vitamin support for children living with HIV through the Hand in Hand Ministries programme. Second, it will expand Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) services to more primary health care facilities nationwide.

The ministry said in a statement that the partnership “ensures equitable access to HIV prevention, testing, and treatment for those most in need.” The initiative is funded through the government’s co-financing commitments under Global Fund Cycle 7.