A few weeks ago, we shared the story of eleven-year-old Jenica Jenkins, a brave young girl battling Scoliosis, a condition that causes the spine to curve abnormally and progressively worsen over time. Today, there’s a glimmer of hope as Jenica has received a response from Shriner’s Children’s Hospital. Her mother, Kezia Young, is reaching out to the community for support. If you wish to help, you can contact her at 621-8940. Kezia is eager to explain the next steps in Jenica’s journey towards better health.
Kezia Young
Kezia Young, Mother of Jenica Jenkins
“I got in contact with Shriners Children’s Hospital in Tampa, Florida, and her case was closed. After communication, they reopened her case, so we are going through the application process to have her get the care she needs. So right now what we are looking for is sponsorship because they can only provide a certain amount of care for the patient. But when it comes to parents and guardians to travel with her, there’s certain things we would have to cover like getting her visa, getting transportation to and from the U. S. So those are things that we are currently working on. We do have a couple people who have reached out, willing to donate and pay for certain things. They don’t want to be considered sponsors because they’re not sponsoring the whole trip, just portions of it, which we are very grateful for. We need to apply for both our visas, however, the application is – until we are definitely granted approval, then apply for the visas, but that’s it. By the grace of God, we will be granted, and her case will be approved. So, we still need to apply for a visa. And in the event that we can’t get care from Shriners, we do plan on still going to the U. S. To get help for her. So, visas are needed. Money for tickets is needed for food and lodging, food and lodging. Of course, we don’t have somewhere to stay yet. I do have family; however, they are families that have their own life, and things that they’re dealing with right now. So, my family unfortunately can’t assist us at this time, but they have been donating. They have been reaching out and helping us, you know, find places that would be reasonable hotel-wise or lodging-wise. They’re sending different information that can help towards us getting over there. We just need to finish the application process for confirmation approval.”
Marion Ali
“Okay. And baby, how have you been lately?”
Jenica Jenkins
Jenica Jenkins
“Well, sometimes when I’m trying to relax, my back hurts and I have to get in a position where I can get comfortable. And I’m feeling okay right now, so I hope everything is going to be fine with me.”
Tonight, a father is accusing the Northern Regional Hospital of negligence after he had to rush his son to a private clinic for urgent care. The father, a public servant, shared that his son waited over an hour at the public hospital without receiving any medical attention. He recounted to News Five that his eleven-year-old son had slipped and hit his face, resulting in a deep cut between his eyebrows that bled profusely and required stitches. Despite arriving at the hospital more than half an hour after his wife, who had brought their son in, no one had attended to the boy. Frustrated and concerned, the father decided to take his son to a private medical facility. He noted that although the medical team on duty claimed they were busy, he saw them sitting and chatting when he peeked inside. The father expressed his worry that if this could happen to someone they likely recognize from his profession, ordinary Belizeans might face even greater challenges when seeking medical attention at public facilities. Attempts to reach the Northern Regional Hospital for a response went unanswered.
Recently, Belize joined the global celebration of World Mental Health Day on October tenth. This annual event is a chance to raise awareness about the challenges people face in maintaining their mental health and to encourage everyone to help end the stigma surrounding it. This year’s theme highlighted the importance of prioritizing mental health in the workplace, emphasizing that mental health should be a priority in all aspects of life. In this episode of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Britney Gordon spoke with the team behind the National Mental Health Program to explore the resources available in Belize for those seeking help.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
Mental health stigma is a global issue, fueled by cultural beliefs, lack of education, and insufficient resources for those in need. But mental health is just as important as physical health, and the Belize National Mental Health Program is on a mission to change that narrative. In the past, patients with different needs were all sent to Rockview Hospital, but now there’s a push for more tailored and compassionate care.
Ivette Quintanilla
Ivette Quintanilla, Mental Health Coordinator, MOHW
“The Mental Health Program in Belize has come a long way. Before we used to have Seaview Hospital in Belize City and then that was moved to Rockview Hospital in Rockville. Patients used to be admitted there. Persons who had problems with the law were referred there as well. If patients were in an acute crisis, they were also referred there. So. It was like having everybody with a mental disorder being sent to Rockview Hospital.”
Now fifteen years later, Belize has moved away from placing patients in institutions. They are now referred to the Palm View Center in Belmopan. This residential care facility offers a home for patients without family support, allowing them to live together, build a community, and regain their independence. Ivette Quintanilla explains that the country is making strides to ensure mental health resources are both accessible and welcoming for those in need.
Ivette Quintanilla
“We have moved now to a more of a community and type based of service that we offer. We have mental health clinics in all the districts with psychiatric nurse practitioners providing the services along with psychiatrists. We get the support from Cuba. And in Belize City, we also have our main psychiatrist, Dr. Matus, who works there as well. We have a few psychotherapists that also provide counseling services, and a social worker that also provides support when it comes to the family.”
Reaching out for help can be intimidating. This is due, in part, to the stigma that surrounds it. However, it is a step in the right direction. Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner, Amy Link explains how they assist someone experiencing symptoms of anxiety.
Amy Link
Amy Link, Psychiatric Nurse Practitioner
“Reaching out to get psychiatric assistance is very nerve wracking. We do try and promote that, the information that you provide here will be secure and will be safe. And at any moment, if you’re not ready to speak up anything in your life, it is on your pace. So the anxious feeling now, when it comes to the symptoms, we do not just jump to a diagnosis. It is. Or jump to prescribing medication because often we have to see what are the triggers in your life that can be altered or sometimes those feelings are signs that our body is communicating with us about there’s something that needs to be addressed.”
September Tenth is usually a day of celebration in Belize, but it’s also a time to raise awareness for World Suicide Prevention Day. This year, the activities included a glow run and a candlelight vigil where people shared their personal stories of struggling with mental health and how they overcame those challenges. October tenth is recognized as World Mental Health Day. Link explains how this year’s events reinforced the message that mental health and physical health are deeply connected.
Amy Link
“The theme for World Mental Health Day was to prioritize mental health in the workplace. So our activities were really focusing in on those within the work field. And for Western Regional, we provided and also the community. We had yoga classes done by Frida. We had Zumba classes done by Ms. McKean. And we had massage day done with the organic spa. And even meditation done by Yuhan. So these individuals did all this for our workers and individuals in the community, free of cost. And it promoted the basic means of which we can make those changes in our life within our control to bring mental health into our life improved.”
As part of the celebrations, the Mental Health Department curated a serene space dedicated to meditation and relaxation. This room served as a respite for staff to unwind and rejuvenate, offering a tranquil escape designed to alleviate stress and promote well-being.
Ivette Quintanilla
“Our aim throughout the country was to provide activities trying to teach about how to manage stress and the importance of self care. As well, it is important to start with that management when it comes to making these changes. It all starts with each individual person recognizing that all of us have mental, mental health. And we need to work on ourselves first before we can provide that support within our businesses, within our other ministries. In order for us to promote mental well being in with our staff. Because we know that when, when we are not mentally healthy, it leads to burnout. It leads to absenteeism at work.”
Changing the narrative on mental health in Belize is a long journey, but there’s a movement underway. And it’s a movement that grows stronger with each passing year.
Ivette Quintanilla
“One of my biggest wishes is that we can reach more people, that people can be more cognizant of their mental health that we can decrease the stigma and discrimination and people become aware that they do not need to suffer in silence, that there is help. And it’s just a matter of them reaching out to us and for that help to be provided.”
Teaching children healthy nutrition is not an easy task when the unhealthy options that exist are backed by huge marketing budgets to increase their appeal. One school has discovered that one way to change a child’s mind about eating healthy is to include healthy eating habits in their daily routine. That’s what Stella Maris School is doing with “Fruity Tuesdays” and “Water Wednesdays” initiatives. And that approach works in tandem with a regional campaign to eliminate the region’s most deadly food product, trans fat. Teaching children to eat healthy empowers them to avoid food options that can lead to non-communicable diseases. News Five’s Paul Lopez tells us more in this week’s installment of Belize on Reel.
Paul Lopez, Reporting
A healthy, nutritious diet is essential to a child’s physical and mental well-being. This is one of the reasons why the Ministry of Health and Wellness launched the “Healthy Habits, Healthy Schools, Healthy Belize” campaign. Stella Maris School adopted the program.
Sheree Salgado
Sheree Salgado, Teacher, Stella Maris School
“As a staff we came up with different activities we can do. On Tuesdays we have what we call fruity Tuesday. Parents are encouraged to send their child with a fruit. That day we don’t want any chips, any biscuits. So, you will that the classes will do different activities with the fruits. On Wednesdays we do a water Wednesday. We don’t want to see any ideals, any juice. So, student and teachers are encouraged to drink water on Wednesdays.”
These two students at Stella Maris School are busy at work, preparing their plate of fruits for a midday snack. They are encouraged to bring their own fruits and to get involved in the cutting up the fruits, while they learn to identify each one. As a school for children living with various disabilities, too much sugary drinks and snacks can prove counterproductive.
Teacher
“What is this?”
Student #1
Student #1
“Grapes”
Teacher
“And this one?”
Student #1
“Apple”
Teacher
“And this one?”
Student #1
“Banana”
Teacher
“What is this one?”
Student #2
Student #2
“Banana, Apple.”
Teacher
“And this one, Grapes.”
Student #2
“Grapes.”
We asked a couple of the older students why its important to eat healthy.
Paul Lopez
“What are some examples of healthy food?”
Elijah Martinez
Elijah Martinez, Student, Stella Maris School
“Orange Banana, Carrots, Lime and dende.”
Paul Lopez
“And what are some examples of unhealthy food?”
Elijah Martinez
“Sweet, fry chicken.”
Paul Lopez
“Why should kids decided to eat healthy food?”
Elijah Martinez
“To let them grow, look better and build up deh blood and so.”
Paul Lopez
“For you, how often do you eat healthy, be honest?”
Elijah Martinez
“Well, I eat healthy every Tuesday and Monday.”
Paul Lopez
“How about Wednesday and Thursday and Friday?”
Elijah Martinez
“Sometimes I eat healthy on Thursday and Friday.”
Martinez has learned to associate healthy eating with the healthy eating program implemented at his school. This is an important start to developing a lifelong healthy lifestyle.
Paul Lopez
“Why is it important for children to eat healthy food instead of unhealthy food?”
Malique Requena
Malique Requena, Student, Stella Maris
“Because it makes you strong, when you eat your fruit and vegetables every dayyou eat?”
Paul Lopez
“What are some examples of healthy food?”
Malique Requena
“There are fruits, vegetables, all kind of things we need to eat.”
Their knowledge is testament to the fact that anyone can learn to differentiate between healthy and unhealthy food options to make better choices. Also, introducing these lifestyle lessons into the school system builds a healthy nutrition foundation at an early age.
Sheree Salgado
“You know, after a hard day of work, you come home, you tired, especially as a teacher and you have your children at home waiting for you and you just look for something easy. But, we can do easy stuff that are healthy. We just need to be more educated about it, rather than just go and grab a fry chicken and a pack bread.”
Salgado contends that teaching children healthy eating habits in schools begin with adults first understanding the body’s daily nutritional needs. In fact, there is an entire regional campaign geared towards banning a food product that is a danger to Caribbean health, trans fats.
Koleen Neal
Koleen Neal, Nutritionist, Dangriga Polyclinic
“Trans fats are an unhealthy type of fat that could lead to having high cholesterol. It is naturally produced in animals, and you could find it in dairy products. The unhealthy trans fats are industry produced.”
It goes through a process called hydrogenation which turns the liquid to solid so that the product can have a longer shelf life. Shortening and margarine butter are examples of trans fats. It can also be found in many store-bought prepackaged snacks. Ice cream also contains trans-fat.
Koleen Neal
“What makes it bad is because it solidifies at room temperature imagine what it does to your arteries. So, because it does that, it causes a blockage in the arteries. Before it does that, your levels of high cholesterol increase, which is one of the risk factors of having a heart disease.”
Paul Lopez
“Are there healthier options? Since this is solid, are liquids healthier?”
Koleen Neal
“We recommend unsaturated fats. These are liquid oils. These stay liquid at room temperature. So it is less likely to solidify or clog the arteries.”
With this knowledge in hand, Elijah gave his advice to children about eating healthy.
Elijah Martinez
“I wah tell deh, yo always have to stay healthy, eat good fruit on Wednesday and Tuesday and Thursday. And in my opinion, I suppose to eat healthy to, because that will build me up and make me better.”
Concerns have been raised about the departure of several key staffers, including the Drug Inspectorate, at the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Over the weekend, News Five was informed that a few employees had moved on to the private sector. We reached out to Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard who told us, “We have no chief pharmacists but Miss Samira who has been acting in the position and still is. Doctor Samouge who is the Drug Inspectorate resign to go work in the private sector. Doctor Fidel Cuellar resigned to work in the private sector. Miss Agassi Finnegan was seconded to us to address some legal matters but had always said she will go practice her profession in her law firm. So she is now a private attorney at law, As an update we had no resignations in July, one male RN in August who went to the private sector, and one RN in September who’s contract ended and did not renew so essentially not a resignation”.
News Five has confirmed that Dr. Chrystal Samouge has resigned from her post as the Chief Drug Inspector for the Ministry of Health and Wellness. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard told News Five via WhatsApp, “Dr. Samouge, who is the Drug Inspectorate, resigned to go work in the private sector.” While that is the ministry’s official position, sources tell News Five that there are other reasons that led Dr. Samouge to resign.
Rumours of her resignation began to spread last week.
Dr. Samouge was appointed to the position under the current government.
The chief drug inspector post is crucial, and the person leads the drug inspectorate unit. This unit is responsible for regulating medication and medical supplies nationwide. According to the ministry’s website, “The unit performs many regulatory functions, including marketing authorisation of pharmaceutical products through drug registration, and performs post-marketing activities to monitor the safety of pharmaceuticals once they have reached the market. It monitors the market for any substandard and falsified drugs and performs seizures and destruction of such products or drugs sold on unauthorised premises. The Drug Inspectorate unit works closely with the Licensing and Accreditation Unit and the Pharmacy Unit and is charged with the responsibility of inspection activities for the purpose of licensing pharmaceutical establishments. It constantly monitors various establishments and businesses to ensure compliance with the appropriate laws and regulations.”
Minister Bernard added, “With respect to the drug inspectorate unit, in the next month or 2 we should be able to promote. In the meantime Miss Waight will be holding responsibilities.”
Diabetes is a chronic condition that arises when the pancreas fails to produce sufficient insulin or when the body cannot effectively utilize the insulin it produces. Insulin is the crucial hormone that regulates blood glucose levels. According to a report by the International Diabetes Federation released in November 2021, one in ten people globally has diabetes. Alarmingly, one in two individuals with diabetes is unaware of their condition, and every five seconds, someone dies from diabetes or its complications. If left untreated, diabetes can wreak havoc on the body, damaging the eyes, heart, and kidneys, often leading to severe and debilitating conditions. In today’s edition of Belize on Reel, News Five’s Marion Ali explores how diabetes can devastate the human body and shares effective strategies for controlling the disease. Here’s her insightful report.
Marion Ali, Reporting
The Belize Diabetes Association estimates that around fifty thousand Belizeans, aged between twenty and seventy-nine, are living with diabetes. A person is considered diabetic if their blood glucose level exceeds one hundred and twenty-six mg/dL, and significant bodily harm begins when levels surpass one hundred and fifty mg/dL. However, Diabetes Specialist Dr. German Alamilla emphasizes that a disciplined regimen of a balanced diet, medication, and exercise can lower these levels significantly, potentially extending a patient’s life by years. The crucial first step is discovering your status.
German Alamilla
Dr. German Alamilla, Diabetes Specialist
“Some people are fearful of the testing because of the pricking of the finger, but this is necessary for you to control the levels of sugar in your body. Why? Because once the sugar is up, it’s damaging the whole system, affecting every organ in your body. Some people have this concept that diabetes – I can have a two hundred, two-fifty level and they say, “Oh that’s fine, that’s controlled.” No, that is not controlled. For me, I ask my patients to have at least below one-fifty or even closer to one-forty would be controlled. It can be controlled effectively with a diet and exercise, a balanced diet. I go more for the low carb, high protein diet; it seems to do a better job.”
Alamilla says that if the blood glucose level goes above one-fifty, it begins to wreak havoc on the body without the patient even knowing.
Dr. German Alamilla
“Once your sugar is above one-fifty, it begins to bind with other chemicals in your blood and the worst one it binds with is the LDL Cholesterol, the low-density lipoprotein cholesterol is considered the bad cholesterol. Once that is bound, it deposits on the inside lining of the arteries, causing an inflammation and that inflammation develops into atherosclerotic plaque and that atherosclerotic plaque is what makes the diameter of the vascular of the artery goes down and so the circulation and the blood passing through is less and this less circulation or ischemia is what goes damaging your eyes, your heart, your kidneys, the legs. You can lose the functionality of a whole kidney and you won’t feel a thing because the other kidney compensates and while the other kidneys compensate, it’s getting damaged too.”
Failing to get tested for diabetes means you might remain unaware of the condition until its symptoms become glaringly obvious. Unfortunately, by then, the disease often has already inflicted irreversible damage on vital organs like the kidneys or heart. One telltale sign of diabetes is poor circulation in the hands or feet. Gary Ayuso, the visionary behind the Anodyne Therapy Center of Belize on Cemetery Road, is also a certified Anodyne Therapist. He passionately explains that their patented equipment revitalizes limbs by encouraging the body to release nitric oxide, promoting healing and improved circulation.
Gary Ayuso
Gary Ayuso, Anodyne Therapist
“Nitric oxide is a physiological compound of the body. And what it does, it vasodilates. One of the main effects of diabetes is allowing the body or tricking the body not to produce nitric oxide. In that case, it causes poor circulation, which is peripheral neuropathy. And that’s the effect, that’s the main effect of diabetes, it keeps shutting down the body a bit at a time, a bit at a time, causing limbs to go numb, then necrotic, et cetera. Another thing diabetes does is because the eyes have the smallest capillaries in the body, the circulation, is not enough to open. So it affects the eyes tremendously. Now what this infrared laser does, it allows the body to produce nitric oxide. So this machine actually stimulates the body to produce nitric oxide, so it begins to vasodilate opening veins, arteries, capillaries, and stuff like that. So it actually rejuvenates the body and bring, bring back new cells.”
Ayuso has been offering the service to diabetics and other patients since 2007 and since then, he says he has had a growing number of clients who find the treatment useful.
Gary Ayuso
“We have been open since 2007 and we’ve helped a lot of people. I can recall once a lady came in, the door and say, Mr. Ayuso you need to save my limb because the doctor said they’ll cut it off in two to three weeks. And I said, “Come every day” and we did it. And when she went back to the doctor, the doctor said, “I don’t know what you’re doing, but we don’t have to cut off that leg again.” So things like that, we have a lot of success stories.”
At the Belize Diabetes Association, located at the bustling intersection of Central American Boulevard and Mahogany Street, registered members can attend free group sessions on diabetes management. Additionally, they can benefit from personalized one-on-one consultations with Dr. Alamilla, who generously volunteers his expertise. The Association also provides essential supplies like syringes, glucose monitors, and strips to its members, thanks to generous donations. President Lynette Valerio proudly highlights that they offer a range of support services to assist those living with diabetes.
Lynette Valerio
Lynette Valerio, President, Belize Diabetes Association
“We have a support system where we have a doctor who works closely with us. He would see patients in a group setting and even have one-on-one session with persons who would need more support in managing their diabetes. And the services we provide are to support and educate people on diabetes. We also do a lot of awareness programs as well. On a monthly basis we have a meeting with members and persons living with diabetes where we would invite somebody who can speak on diabetes, maybe a doctor, a medical practitioner, who would speak on everything about diabetes.”
Twenty-year-old Deandre Dawson was diagnosed with Diabetes at age four. He told us that in his childhood, watching his friends eat sweets was difficult when he couldn’t. Then he began consuming sugary stuff and it almost cost him his life.
Deandre Dawson
Deandre Dawson, Diabetic Patient
“Seeing your friends, students eating the stuff that you cannot eat – candies, ideals, stuff like, tablatas, fudge, you know, cakes, that went very hard on me, meaning that I still went and do it behind closed doors. That took me those semi comas, hallucinating. Watching my peers, in regards to drinking and foodwise, us as diabetics can take a one and two drink. There’s nothing that we cannot do, I would say. It’s just in moderation.”
Dr, Alamilla who, incidentally, has also been suffering from diabetes for over twenty years, says it is possible for people to effectively manage their glucose level while still enjoying life. Marion Ali for News Five.
Scoliosis is a condition where a person’s spine develops an irregular curve that can worsen over time. One brave little girl, diagnosed with this condition in 2023, is in urgent need of surgery. She awaits an international organization’s decision on the best procedure for her. In the meantime, her mother has reached out to the public, not just for assistance, but for heartfelt prayers for her eleven-year-old daughter. News Five’s Marion Ali visited Jenica Jenkins today and found that despite her challenges, she strives to live like any other child her age. Here’s that report. Here’s that report.
Jenica Jenkins, Needs Surgery
(Singing…I Love You, Lord…of the goodness of God.)
Marion Ali, Reporting
Jenica Jenkins appears to be a typical eleven-year-old girl, but she faces a critical need for life-saving surgery that has hindered her from enjoying activities other children her age take for granted, like attending school or riding a bike. Diagnosed with scoliosis in January 2023, Jenica’s condition has rapidly progressed, severely affecting her mobility and her ability to perform everyday tasks.
Kezia Young
Kezia Young, Mother of Jenica Jenkins
“Within like a few months, we noticed that the curve was starting to be more pronounced in her spine. Like you could visibly see her starting to lean and her body tilted one side. Right now, the situation is the curvature in her spine is at – the last time we checked, was at a sixty-six-degree angle, meaning it’s beyond brace, beyond being able to be braced.”
Jenica’s mom, Kezia Young, took to the public, through social media, and began asking around for referral hospitals that could help her child. Then she decided to contact World Pediatrics, a non-profit organization that offers medical assistance to critically ill children. She got a response that gives her hope.
Kezia Young
“We’re waiting to hear back from them between today and Monday. So, thanks to everybody who has been sharing her story, who has been sending prayers and donations. Her case is under review. We have her MRIs because she did get a couple of MRIs, we did those in Mexico. We have her CT scan. So, they have – because Spine Overseas already had a file. I gave them permission to share the file with World Pediatric who will be reviewing the file today and getting back to us about you know, if she needs to go through one more evaluation and what would be the determination of that.”
Jenica has been unable to attend classes because sitting for extended periods and walking cause her significant pain. More recently, the curvature in her spine has begun pressing on her stomach, leading to organ cramping and making it difficult for her to know when she needs to eat or use the restroom. As they await feedback from World Pediatrics, Kezia earnestly asks for your prayers.
Kezia Young
“We’re asking just that everybody just keep her in prayers as she goes through this journey, because I know it will be a tough journey for her and for myself. So, right now, we’re just asking for prayers.”
Jenica, who was also diagnosed with autism, attended Stella Maris School, where she took great pride in her English classes. Now, as she transitions to home-schooling, Jenica is doing her best to embrace a normal childhood, despite the challenges she faces.
Jenica Jenkins
“I like to decorate my doll house a lot. And it’s so much fun because I can play with them. I can put them to sleep, cook, anything.”
Marion Ali for News Five.
Kezia Young has opened an account at Atlantic Bank under the name Kezia Arnold – account number two-one-one-five-three-four-one-five-one. She has also opened a Go Fund Me page for her daughter where you can assist them through this time. And if you would like to contact her directly, you can call or message her at six-two-one-eight-nine-four-zero.
The Second International Conference of Traditional Healing commenced in the Cayo District on Thursday. This vibrant three-day forum unites traditional healers, complementary medicine practitioners, and medical doctors to showcase the richness of traditional practices. Participants will also engage in discussions on preserving ancestral knowledge for future generations. News Five’s Britney Gordon was there to learn more about the event. Here’s the story.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
If you grew up in Belize, you may recall having to drink serosi or bitters as a child. Believed to be a natural way to keep healthy, herbal healing or bush medicine, has been a practice in many cultures for centuries. However, with the advancement of technology and modern medicine, fewer people are learning the traditional ways of healing. That is why stakeholders from across the region are gathered to participate in the second International Conference of Traditional Medicine.
Hugo Carillo
Hugo Carillo, Director, U Chan Muul Yaax K’aax
“We have traditional healers which will be the keepers, and we have medical doctors, nurses. So we have to see both sides, and the importance of it, as the team sees traditional healers, keepers of scientific and technical knowledge, and on our behalf of the Yucatec Maya culture there is a lot of traditional medicine, a lot of traditional beliefs that we share also with our culture, with other cultures.”
Museum Director, Hugo Carillo, presented on traditional Mayan healing systems explaining how to track the body’s natural functions with the moon. He hopes that younger audiences will continue the traditions of his heritage through his work at the museum and conferences such as these.
Hugo Carillo
“And for example, the crew on Garifuna. So we’re bounded. As I mentioned in my presentation, we’re a big family and I think it’s very important to keep the traditional medicine and positive, especially to the youth because time is going a lot of difference, deforestation, climate change and technology. So we must instill that to the younger generation. And we are losing our elders and that is one of the main objectives of the museum to transmit these knowledge to the younger generation and to the Belizean people as a whole.”
The conference is supported by the National Institute of Culture and History which is committed to preserving culture and traditional practices. Director of the Institute for Social and Cultural Research, Rolando Cocom, explained this goal.
Rolando Cocom
Rolando Cocom, Director, ISCR
“The purpose of the conference is to have a conversation between traditional and complementary medical practitioners and formerly certified medical doctors within the healthcare system. It is an important conversation because as we know, most Belizeans in some way or another at some point in their life. The Belizean people have would have used herbs, for instance, to treat an ailment or to treat a disease. And we believe that the both the thermal health care system and the traditional practices should complement one another. There should belinkages. And it’s a conversation that has been happening for years now.”
The conference focuses on traditional medicinal practices but welcomes medical doctors into the conversation. We asked general physician Danny Yacob how balance is maintained between the two.
Danny Yacob
Dr. Danny Yacob, General Physician
“How do we keep that balance with the traditional medicine? We don’t only focus on the scientific and the medical part. We always try to include the herbal part of it. Because medicine in a whole, it’s a holistic approach. It’s an approach centered not just on medication, but you also have to teach the patients what they have to eat. They have to exercise natural things that they can do at home so that they continue with their health, not only when they come in the office to see us, but also when they’re at home, they know exactly what to do.”
The event highlights topics such as at-home healing, healthy dieting practices, and herbal approaches to mental health treatment. Doctor Maria Lucia Goncalves, a committee member of the conference, emphasized that these teachings must not be overlooked in the medical field. But rather studied, so that doctors can work with patients to determine the best treatment for them.
Maria Lucia Goncalves
Dr. Maria Lucia Goncalves, Committee Member
“That is a great opportunity for all the doctors in Belize, for all the people in Belize because everybody have a traditional medication home. You have the abuelita, the grandmother, grandfather, natural healers who tell the neighbors who give you some medication. Sometimes we take a different approach, in a negative way, like during the delivery, the labor delivery patient come in with a tea. And they have complicated the delivery because maybe they take the tea so early. Let’s see what is happening. The agency section sometime necessary, but I don’t take this approach as a negative approach, but we have to be a part of research. We have to know what you take for us to be able to help you medically”
Today, non-communicable diseases such as heart disease, stroke, or diabetes are the leading causes of illness and premature death in Belize. Multiple risk factors lead to these diseases, such as an unhealthy diet. According to the Pan American Health Organization, the prevalence of obesity in Caribbean children is two to three times higher than in the rest of the world, contributing to the heightened rates of non-communicable diseases. In tonight’s edition of our Five Point Breakdown, we look at the approach to encouraging children to make healthy decisions and the challenges that come with doing so. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.
Britney Gordon, Reporting
One in three Caribbean children are overweight or obese. The health of these children will define that of a generation of working adults. If action is not taken swiftly to lead them on a healthier path, these children will continue to be at risk of developing non-communicable diseases, such as hypertension or diabetes; some of the leading causes of death in Belize.
Why healthy eating habits must start at a young age
Robyn Daly-Faber
Robyn Daly-Faber, Nutritionist, MOHW
“Nutrition plays a very big role for growth, for development, for brain development, for proper development of a child’s physical. And also for the prevention of diseases. So I can’t stress the importance of nutrition. But we have to encourage people to know what to feed the child. Because saying healthy foods, what might be healthy in your eyes, might not really be healthy.”
Nutritionist at the Ministry of Health, Robyn Daly-Faber, tells us that obesity is not the only side effect of bad eating habits in children.
Robyn Daly-Faber
“We have what we call a double burden of malnutrition. A double burden means we have both overnutrition and undernutrition. So overnutrition is looking at obesity and overweight, and undernutrition is looking at stunting and wasting, which is having low height for age and low weight for age. So these are all a result of poor eating habits. And it starts very early, from children under five years old.”
Across the country, thousands of children reach for a snack at recess, but what are these children eating? Encouraging children to choose healthier food options is an integral part of tackling the issue. At Buttonwood Bay Nazarene Primary School here in Belize City, Standard Six student Jauhn Orozco explains that the decision between what he wants to eat and what he knows he should be eating is a difficult choice.
Why do children prefer junk food?
Britney Gordon
“Why wouldn’t you go for one of maybe a banana or an orange or something like that?”
Jauhn Ororzco
Jauhn Ororzco, Student, Buttonwood Bay Nazarene Primary School
“Because it’s just too tempting to taste the chips.”
Britney Gordon
“Have your parents or your teachers been encouraging you and your classmates to make healthier decisions? “
Jauhn Orozco
“Yes, ma’am. They have. They’ve been saying to eat more oranges, and carrots. Because, I went to the eye doctor because I needed the eyeglasses because I’m on the device too much.”
Jauhn enjoys eating fruits and would likely be inclined to choose that as a snack if there was more variety in the servings.
Britney Gordon
“What’s been the hardest part of eating healthier for you?”
Jauhn Orozco
“It’s like the vegetables. They don’t really have. That sweet taste you taste in other foods. But I know it’s healthier for me and so I try to eat it as much as possible.”
Britney Gordon
“Which healthy snack is your favorite?”
Jauhn Orozco
“Probably the mangos. The mangos with with the hot sauce.”
Britney Gordon
“What do you think they can do to their snack options to make it something that you would want to eat?”
Jauhn Orozco
“They could put fruit salads, a mixture of different fruits. Not just selling it, onlyone fruit. A mixture of different fruits in one.”
For the past two years, Buttonwood Bay Primary School has been part of the Healthy Habits, Healthy Schools, Healthy Belize Campaign. It’s an initiative launched by the Ministry of Health and Wellness to promote better nutrition, physical activity, and hygiene in schools. Also offered to the students is a free feeding program, sponsored by the ministry. Acting Principal, Wendy Smith, says that the children have been receptive to the meals based on the menu options and the way vegetables are incorporated into the servings.
Making nutritious foods accessible to children
Wendy Smith
Wendy Smith, Acting Principal, Buttonwood Bay Nazarene Primary School
“Currently, we offer healthy snacks during break time like watermelon, mangoes, Oranges even cucumbers and the children enjoy that but for lunch, we have been providing different menus for them. Like today, we have black dinner and the infants love black dinner So we have different foods for them. We have rice and beans stew beans. We even had fajitas. We have quesadillas everything differently, but we incorporate the vegetables in them as well.”
Britney Gordon
“And in terms of ensuring that these lunches are also nutritious, don’t have too much salt in them. Is that something that goes into the planning process for these meals?”
Wendy Smith
“Yes, we take workshops. Basically, we have workshops with the cooks and the teachers, and the principal attend these workshops to see more or less what portion to give each child and what is the amount of seasonings and so forth to use on each meal.”
Students may be receptive to healthy feeding programs, however, the challenge lies in ensuring that they choose healthier snacks. Daly-Faber says that this cannot be pushed from one angle, but rather, tackled from all fronts.
Ensuring Healthier Eating Habits Among Children
Robyn Daly-Faber
“One of the challenges that we see is of course, behavior change the willingness to be open to having healthier options in schools. We also see some areas where availability or interference from outside vendors might be a contributing factor. And the willingness of, I would say the openness and the willingness of the school system to openly adapt to it. Because we need to have the entire school community be receptive and positively pushing this. It can’t be only when we promote an activity or a week that we see the change.”
Malnutrition exists across the Caribbean, which displays some of the highest rates of overweight and obesity in the Americas. To counteract the disparity in children’s nutrition, the Healthy Caribbean Coalition is pushing to implement front-of-package octagonal warning labels on snacks that are high in sodium or sugar to deter consumers from choosing less nutritious options. The initiative has not been implemented into CARICOM legislation, but several Latin American countries have begun adapting labels in compliance with the campaign. Sheena Warner-Edwards, Communications Officer for the HCC, explained the goal of the campaign.
“The selection of that particular label that spoke to persons, or that would assist persons in better, choosing or selecting a food that has less salt, we would say, because the label would read heightened. Or, in any case, after that individual purchased the product, they will be able to say about, would I consume this entire package, given it is high in salt? Or would I consume a quarter of the package and leave some for later or another day? So those are the kinds of measures again that the labeling standard would assist persons in doing. You know most people when they’re shopping they don’t have time to necessarily read the back of pack label.”
