BDF Doubles Ambulances, Debuts Critical Medical Tools

The Belize Defense Force is boosting its emergency response capacity, doubling its ambulance fleet and introducing its first-ever X-ray machine and automated external defibrillator. The equipment was donated by Tonic Life Belize through businessman Issac Fehr, and officials say the new additions will not only serve soldiers but also residents in the Ladyville and Lord’s Bank communities. Today we spoke with Minister of National Defense Florencio Marin Junior, BDF Commandant Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, and the donor himself about what they’re calling a game changer for the force’s healthcare capabilities.

 

Florencio Marin Jr., Minister of National Defense

“It’s a significant game changer for the health sector of our Belize Defense Force. As now they can do their own X-rays. I was just getting a tour. It is fully equipped with everything. It’s standalone. So the Belize Defense Force Hospital now can do its own X-rays. There’s also a defibrillator for those, let’s hope we don’t have to use it very much, for those who the suffer heart attack and definitely an ambulance that will also be used within the surrounding area. So it’s not just for the BDF, but for the wider Ladyville and Lord’s Bank community.”

 

Brigadier General Anthony Velasquez, Commandant, Belize Defence Force

“Presently, the Belize Defense Force, we only have one functioning ambulance, so this will be a great, like a fifty percent exponential capacity building for us, right? And we have had several need, several reasons to deploy ambulances so the ability to have another one is a great game changer for us. The X-ray machine, we’ve never had one before, and we’ve always needed to send our soldiers for various injuries to get X-rayed.”

 

Issac Fehr, Donor

“Why it started? Saving lives. Be there for the suffering people and for that reason I get to know some of the BDF medics. It has been amazing being part of it. Today I had the equipment but not the professionals. So now the BDF do have the professionals. Bringing those two things together, that makes one complete.”

 

Issac Fehr is a businessman in the medical field who has previously operated out of Mexico. The Belize Defense Force says it undergoes a vetting process before accepting donations.

 

Attention readers: This online newscast is a direct transcript of our evening television broadcast. When speakers use Kriol, we have carefully rendered their words using a standard spelling system.

 

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