Health - Greater Belize Media

Ministry of Health Receives US $1.8 Million Donation

The Ministry of Health and Wellness received a one-point eight million U.S. dollar donation. This donation came from donors Edward and Patricia Lord, members of the Belizean diaspora, and Build Belize Incorporated. It consisted of equipment such as medical and birthing beds, defibrillators, patient monitors, infusion pumps, and vital sign monitors to be distributed across the country. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

For husband and wife, Edward and Patricia Lord, upgrading Belize’s healthcare system is a primary concern. Having worked in the US healthcare system for over ten years, the Belizean American couple understands the cost and effort it takes to elevate the standard of healthcare. With assistance from the Belizean diaspora and Belize Build Incorporated, the couple was able to gift the ministry over one million dollars worth of supplies. Health and Wellness Minister Kevin Bernard expressed his gratitude.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“Let me first of all start by thanking Mr. Edward and Patricia Lord on their generous support and the people in the diaspora who also supported them. But it is their vision that really saw this through and we were happy to partner with them in terms of sourcing of the funding to get the shipping done. But definitely as the list of items, I cannot express how grateful we are as a country, as a people and as a ministry in receiving this very much needed equipment. As you can see, mentioned a lot of these things are going to help to improve service delivery to patients, not only at KT image, but across the country. And so it means a lot to us. When you talk about Additional ICU beds birthing beds, defibrillators patient monitors all these things that have been donated really equipment that is always in need and demand at our facility if we are to provide good healthcare.”

Although the handing-over ceremony occurred at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City, the equipment will be distributed to several health facilities across the country.

Kevin Bernard

“There’s a list of identified areas that I know when mister Lord they had visited, they know, they have identified specific equipment that should be going to And as I had said in my message that when I spoke to them initially they have asked that we ensure that some of these equipment goes exactly where they have been recommended where to. So some of them are in various parts of the country, Western region hospital or regions and community hospitals. I don’t have that list in terms of exactly what’s going where, but I know that they have identified what is needed, where it’s needed and how then, so my CEO will be working along with them. So we are working with the team to ensure that these things are distributed in a timely manner, so we don’t want them to be sitting in a container, but they are now, the next step is to get them deployed into where it needs to go, so that we can start to utilize these donations.”

Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations, Anthony Mahler, said that while this donation will improve Belize’s ability to provide healthcare to visitors, ensuring the safety and wellbeing of Belizeans is a priority.

Anthony Mahler, Minister of Tourism

“It just gives us more equipment to give better service in all our hospitals and public clinics and centers that we treat people. So not only for the tourists, for me, but we need to get these things and make the necessary investments for our people first. And then we will be able to do the rest for the tourists.”

As the donation came from members of the diaspora, Mahler reflected on the work Belizeans outside the country have done to ensure the well-being of friends and family in Belize.

Anthony Mahler

“The diaspora unit is a conduit for people all around the world to be able to support us back home here in Belize. Whatever they’re sending back. So it could be in terms of donations. We have gotten sneakers, we’ve gotten equipment like this. We’ve gotten food supply. We’ve gotten a lot of stuff donated through Bill Belize and through the Diaspora Unit. The Diaspora already sends back close to two hundred fifty million through the official sources. That’s not the amount that comes through barrels and envelopes and suitcases and stuff like that. They contribute a tremendous amount. But these things are expensive to move. And so we did our part in terms of helping to raise the money for them to be able to ship it.”

Bernard said that the ministry will ensure that the equipment is properly stored and cared for. He hopes that more collaborations like this can occur in the future.

Kevin Bernard

“As I said, that we will make sure that these donated items are properly taken care of and distributed on a timely manner, so that, yes, we don’t want to see any of these things damaged. It took a lot of work, 1. 8 million U. S. dollars, close to 4 million dollars, and we need to ensure that these equipments are protected, but at the same time put to use. And that’s what we’re going to do.”

Reporter

“Will you be collaborating with them in the future?”

Kevin Bernard

“Absolutely. Of course, we are grateful to them, and as Minister Mahler also mentioned to Ambassador Murphy, who, again, through Build Belize Inc. And in support with the Lords we are very much open to ensure that we continue to collaborate. I know that as they mentioned, there were some little inks in between the whole process. It took 10 years for them to really get this to where it is now and those are the little things that we have to figure out. But at the end of the day, they have my support as a minister of health. They have my ministry support, and we are going to continue to lobby and accept things like these. Because at the day, it benefits not me personally, but it benefits the Belizean people.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

$70,000 Worth of Medical Supplies Donated to Belize

Today, up to seventy thousand dollars’ worth of medical supplies and equipment were donated to Belize by the Unites States government as part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program, supported by the Security Cooperation Office at the U.S. Embassy. This donation included various items such as mannequins for CPR training, vials for containing blood and defibrillators. Practitioners will undergo several training sessions to ensure that Belizean healthcare providers are informed on how to properly handle the equipment, as well as prepare for its use. News Five’s Britney Gordon stopped by the event earlier today to see the donation.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Today, several boxes of medical supplies and equipment were handed over to Belize as part of the Humanitarian Assistance Program in the United States. This program seeks to alleviate poverty by providing food, shelter, safe drinking water, improved sanitation and hygiene, emergency healthcare services, child protection programs, and education to countries in need of aid. Michelle Kwan, U.S. Ambassador to Belize, spoke with us about the significance of this donation.

Michelle Kwan, U.S. Ambassador to Belize

“We are witnessing a donation made by the Humanitarian Assistance Program, supported by the Security Cooperation Office at the U.S. Embassy. this is donations to the Ministry of Health and Wellness, and it’s ensuring that we are providing essential goods medical devices, as you can see, from the babies to other things, from nurse caps to providing support to the Belizeans. The humanitarian assistance program, um, since 2021 has donated over five million U.S. Dollars to Belize. And today is, I have to say, one of my favorite programs because being able to provide these essential needs medical devices, you could see, you know, to me, I look to my right and there’s a baby, right? And it really helps People educate themselves on CPR for pediatric health, but these donations are so important.”

Doctor Francis Morey, Deputy Director of Hospital Services Allied Health, said that training practitioners on how to use the equipment will be the next step in this program and that healthcare providers from various parts of the country will be invited to participate.

Dr. Francis Morey, Deputy Director, Hospital Services Allied Health

“We have mannequins for training in pediatrics, neonatal care. We have mannequins for adult training. The U. S. government has donated this equipment as a follow up agreement that they had. They continue to support us in doing training. They do basic life support training for us, for our physicians and nurses. We have partnerships with other organizations that do training in emergency triage, basic emergency care. These equipment support what we need on the ground to train our physicians and nurses.”

Britney Gordon

“Where will these supplies and equipment be implemented?”

Dr. Francis Morey

“These are mostly for the regional and community hospitals. So when we do trainings, we invite physicians and nurses from everywhere, from all the district hospitals, the polyclinics the help post. For them to do, get up the basic training and come up to, to part out what is happening currently in the world.”

The donation included a variety of supplies, such as necessities and lifesaving equipment.

Dr. Francis Morey

“I believe there’s, we have some six pediatric mannequins, six adult mannequins, we have some, about three or four defibrillators, an EKG machine, cardiac monitors, and some other general stuff that we use for, while we do the trainings and for hospital care.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Retrofitting Of the Belize Medical Laboratory Underway

The Belize Medical Laboratory is set to undergo some much-needed retrofitting and renovations. This comes as a collaboration between the Pan American Health Organization and the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with funding from the European Union. The overall objective of this ten million U.S. dollar program is to elevate the health services in Belize. The facility will be retrofitted to create more space, ensure that building safety standards are met and updated with environmentally friendly technology. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness, shared his excitement over the launch of the project.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness

“This has been something that yes, indeed, has taken a bit long, but I am very happy that we are, we have reached this milestone today where the EU through the support of PAHO as well, has been able to graciously afford us almost one point three plus million dollars worth of retrofitting at the Central Medical Lab. As the, since the at the Central Medical Lab, there has been a lot of issues with the facility. wise and in terms of spacing. Even though we have invested in terms of increasing the capacity within the Central America Lab, there’s need for better improvement, better work conditions ensuring that the facility is more climate resilient and so forth. And so this retrofitting, groundbreaking today, I is testament to the commitment that as a government and in the support of our partners in PAHO and EU, we have been able to reach to this milestone. And I know that the staff at CML here are very much eager, as I mentioned for this retrofitting. While, as I said, we have been able to see the improvement within the work that is being carried out here at CML. There have been some issues that, Equipment wise, moral wise, anytime you work in an environment that is not conducive to your environment, to working, then it demoralizes you. And so I felt, as I said in my initial message, when I walked in this building the first time I became the Minister of Health, I myself was disappointed. It was really dilapidated, and so I’m happy that we were able to one, get the director, a director on board, who has also had the vision to see the improvement, to work along with her staff, to make sure that we’re able to better provide a service to the Belizean people. That’s number one, priority. And getting this commitment and finally here today is just the start of us ensuring that we can improve. And the next step is for us to ensure that the Central Medical Lab is accredited by the international partners. And the commitment of the director has said to me that by next year, mid next year, it is her hope that Central Medical Laboratory will be certified by our partners in the region.”

ComPol Says Police Are Equipped to Transport Bodies for Autopsies

From time to time, the police are blamed for not having adequate transportation resources, particularly in the rural areas, to respond to an incident until long after the situation has played out. Currently, a man whose wife has died in Toledo is laying blame on the police for not being able to bury his loved one because he is repeatedly told that the police do not have a vehicle to transport the body to Ladyville for a post-mortem examination. When he spoke with the media on Wednesday, Commissioner of Police, Chester Williams apologized to the family and said he would look into the matter.

Chester Williams, Commissioner of Police

“I have to apologize to Mr. Choco as you brought that up just a while ago. He did call me yesterday and made a complaint to me and I had promised him that I was going to make some calls and get back to him. But I had been extremely busy and I totally forgot until you mentioned it just a while ago. But I’m going to do that now as I get through from here to see how I can arrange to have his mother transported to Belize City to…”

Reporter

“His wife…”

Chester Williams

“The one who called me was a son, one of them had called me – to have his mother transported to Belize City for the postmortem. We don’t control postmortems. Many people believe that it’s the police department that controls when postmortems are going to be conducted. But that is done by the National Forensic Service, which is a totally different department. We have no control over that. Mr Cho is the head. I know that the National Forensic Service do have a lot of work. We have a number of sudden deaths, then we have murders, then we have persons who die in traffic accidents. And so their hands are extremely full. I can say that. Perhaps that’s the reason why the body is being held up.”

Reporter

“But Mr. Cho told me, “you can contact the police to get a comment about their – the police’s lack of mobiles to transport bodies from P.G. since last week.”

Chester Williams

“That should be no excuse, Jules. If that is the case, it should be no excuse. P.G. police do have mobile and they should be able to transport the body.”

Head of National Science Lab Says They Have Backlogs

The process of completing postmortem examinations and the timeliness of doing so has also been an issue for families who must wait for a week or longer to get the autopsies of their loved ones. When this happens, it slows down the burial process for those families. Today, Executive Director of the National Forensics Science Service, Gian Cho explained that sometimes they experience a backlog of cases and it has to do with a shortage of personnel.

Gian Cho, Executive Director, National Forensics Science Service

“I would say we’re experiencing backlogs not only because of the higher caseload, and also because one of our medical examiners retired in February, and we’re actively working on trying to fill that vacancy. Vacancies aren’t filled overnight, alright. You have to make sure you get them properly trained, qualified individual. So we went from three medical examiners down to two – two medical examiners on duty. But the particular case this week was really unfortunate because we actually were scheduling the case from last week to do the autopsy – I think it was April 10th. Unfortunately, the police vehicles that were used to transport patients’ bodies from the south of the country were, I believe under repairs or at the mechanic for repairs. So the police actually asked us: “We don’t have the vehicle to transport the cadaver to the morgue all the way here in Ladyville. Can you please postpone?” So the autopsy would have been done from last week if we had the transportation. It’s regrettable, though, that sometimes the communication is not as it should be ‘cause If the police vehicle is down, which we understand, vehicles have mechanical issues, sometimes families would offer, if they have the resources because they would still need to travel to the morgue to I.D the body to receive after the postmortem. So it highlights the need for not only more resources for cadaver transport, cadaver storage, but closer communication with families, with grieving families.”

Belize Host Annual Medical Oncology Mission

The Belize Cancer Center Dangriga and the Belize Cancer Society have once again, collaborated with the New York based organization, InterVol, to host the annual Medical Oncology Mission in Belize. Since the fifteenth of April, a team of four oncologists has been working with doctors and patients in Dangriga and Belize City to offer their services and expertise in the field. News Five’s Britney Gordon visited the Belize Cancer Society today to meet the team and learn more about the mission. Here’s the story.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Founded in 1989 in Rochester, New York, InterVol is an organization dedicated to providing medical supplies and equipment to developing countries. Each year, the organization collects and ships more than eighty-five tons of equipment to countries in dire need of them. The organization has since expanded to provide healthcare across the world by sending teams of doctors to offer their services. Since 2018, Belize has been one of the countries that InterVol has partnered with for this endeavor. Through the Belize Cancer Society and Belize Cancer Center in Dangriga, InterVol has spent the last several days providing care and assistance for cancer patients in the country.

Dellone Pescascio, C.E.O., Belize Cancer Center Dangriga

“We have a clinical oncology team from Interval, which is it’s a team of five providers four of which are on oncologist, hematologist. They’re visiting from Rochester, New York, and they’ve been visiting us in Belize since about 2018. The purpose of the mission really is an expansion on the provision of care. Oncology services to those patients in Belize that otherwise, have been diagnosed but just needed to have some provider consultation. And then the other part of that is an establishment of, appropriate treatment plans for these patients that are waiting for treatment. We actually operated this time. Dangriga at the Dangriga Cancer Center. And then this is or on Thursday today, we are operating out of the Belize Cancer Society building to provide those clinical services here.”

Leading the team of oncologists is Doctor Saad Jamshed, who specializes in hematology. He said that this mission is one that he is grateful to be a part of each year so that he can share his knowledge and offer his service to patients with limited access.

Dr. Saad Jamshed, Lead Oncologist

“So it dates back to many years. InterVol is one of the volunteer organizations we have in Rochester Regional Health, and we have been coming here and doing different medical camps since the late 2000s. I got involved in coming to the cancer center in 2018. There was a little bit of a gap during covert traveling was difficult, but coming here and seeing patients has been very rewarding. The team here does a phenomenal job of providing care to patients. It’s difficult. We see the challenges patients face. They in and day out that delays the experience two different barriers that they have of all the way from screening, being able to conduct the testing and being able to afford all the care that they need and to be able to be a cancer survivor takes a lot. both not only in the patient, but on the family and multiple stressors. So the team does a nice job over here and providing care locally because I can imagine otherwise it would be difficult to provide all that care here within Belize itself. Without the Cancer Center and Doctor Grant and Sister Dellone.”

Also on the team were doctors Roxana Vlad-Vonica, a prostate cancer specialist and Vatsana Govind Kirtani, who specializes in breast cancer. They explained that working in a different country can be challenging at times, but it’s worth the effort to meet and assist the patients.

Dr. Roxana Vlad-Vonica, Oncology Specialist

“To come here was not so difficult. To be able to provide the care that we are used with in the state to the patients here seems to be more challenging for different reason, again, transportation, funding, distance it’s different, but that’s the reason we are here, because we are trying to narrow the gap as much as we can.”

Dr. Vatsana Govind Kirtani, Oncology Specialist

“I will say something I found actually very encouraging that every patient that I’ve seen is actually very involved with their health care. They know a lot about themselves. They know about their medication. We get really good and reliable history, and I think that involvement of community for themselves is the first step and they have it down. So that’s great. And I think we can build from there at this point.”

President of the Belize Cancer Society, Kim Simplis-Barrow, expressed her gratitude TO InterVol for the assistance and joining the Belize Cancer Society and the Belize Cancer Center Dangriga’s initiative to ensure that citizens have access to affordable, quality, and effective, cancer care services.

Kim Simplis Barrow, President, Belize Cancer Society

“For us, it’s still very important to have a collaboration and partnership with the Belize Cancer Society Cancer Center, Dangriga and with Interval. It’s such a great collaboration and partnership there. Today, I think we’re seeing about twenty-one patients just here at the center. They have been here for over the past four days and so in Dangriga, they were seeing patients as well. It is an opportunity that perhaps some of our Belizeans would not have had and it’s always good to get a second opinion and to have a dialogue with professional oncologists.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

Belize joins HEARTS Initiative to Combat Cardiovascular Diseases

The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with PAHO, is implementing new tactics in Belize’s healthcare sector to combat cardiovascular diseases. The HEARTS initiative was introduced to Belize in November 2023, after it proved successful in other parts of the region. Today, key stakeholders in the healthcare sector across the region, and Belize, attended a workshop to learn how to implement the strategies in the HEARTS initiative into healthcare services. Here’s News Five’s Britney Gordon with more information.

Britney Gordon, reporting

Each year, cardiovascular diseases continue to be the leading cause of death globally. Roughly thirty-two percent of all deaths worldwide are caused by related illnesses with low-income countries such as Belize being highly susceptible to these diseases. Diet and lifestyle choices play a major part in the prevalence of these conditions and Belize has struggled to overcome these challenges year after year. To combat these statistics, The HEARTS initiative was introduced to Belize through PAHO, in collaboration with the Ministry of Health. The initiative was implemented locally, in the western region first and now in the central region. Today, members of the healthcare sector gathered to participate in a workshop that will guide them on how to use HEARTS strategies effectively. Doctor Fidel Cuellar, Deputy Director of Public Health and Wellness, explained what the HEART initiative encompasses.

Doctor Fidel Cuellar, Deputy Director, Public Health and Wellness

“What HEARTS is, it is a package, various packages that are geared towards addressing risk factors for the biggest reason of death, really, in the Caribbean and Belize, which is cardiovascular deaths. What we’re saying is that we understand that people are dying of hypertension related illnesses, like stroke, heart attack, chronic kidney diseases. HEARTS is going to help us to address this problem, to be able to control hypertension and diabetes the way it should be. Unfortunately, the majority of people who have hypertension, they do not have it properly controlled. And then that leads ultimately to your strokes and your heart attacks. And that is why HEARTS is very important for us in Belize.”

Cuellar acknowledged that cardiovascular diseases have continued to be the leading causes of death in the region, despite previous attempts to combat its prevalence. He explained that the HEARTS initiative is taking a dynamic approach across various aspects of the healthcare sector to combat the condition from several angles.

Doctor Fidel Cuellar

“So what hearts is doing is putting very clear, easy protocols in place so that the physicians and nurses and everybody can get on board. For example, right now in Belize. If you’re just diagnosed with hypertension, depending on which doctor you go to, you will have different medications. The hearts data shows that doesn’t work. You need to be on a specific set of medications for a specific set of time. And it needs to be adjusted in a specific way. So that, in itself, is a big difference. The other difference is the way we approach hypertension. Traditionally, we use manual cuffs, or we don’t use validated devices. And everybody does it their own way. Having people do it one specific way helps us to determine who is hypertensive and who isn’t. And if you’re hypertensive, what is your true number? So these are major changes in the way we approach hypertension and the way we treat it.”

The HEARTS Initiative was launched in 2016, by the World Health Organization and the United States Centers for Disease Control and Prevention with other partners to support governments in strengthening the prevention and control of cardiovascular diseases. Doctor Karen Lewis Bell, PAHO WHO Representative in Belize, explained how the initiative found its way to the country.

Doctor Karen Lewis Bell, PAHO WHO Representative, Belize

“And so the hearts in the initiative, the hearts in the America’s initiative which was launched in 2016 now has some thirty-three countries in the region of the Americas implementing this. Belize implemented it in October 2023. They became the twenty-fifth country in the region to implement this. And I really want to give kudos to the Ministry of Health in recognizing the importance of ensuring proper and comprehensive management. of hypertension and diabetes as part of this initiative. And so PAHO is providing the technical cooperation in terms of training, capacity building, helping to provide the clinical guidelines as well as helping to provide some of the equipment in terms of, the clinically validated blood pressure machines that the health facilities will use to measure diabetes high blood pressure, et cetera. And we are really getting some funding support from the European Union for this workshop that we’re having today and to help to roll up the hearts initiative.”

Cuellar reiterated that the approach of HEARTS is complex, starting at the primary level before working its way through the sector. She said that it has displayed successful results in other regions that can be replicated in Belize with the right approach.

Doctor Karen Lewis Bell

“And so it’s a comprehensive package of care, and we do it in an integrated way, focusing on the first level of care, what we call the primary health care. As you may know, in many countries, in fact, in all countries, the first level of care is where the individual or the patients will first interface with the health system. And so we have to work at that level, at the village level, and to make sure that everybody understands and is doing the right thing. Doing you know, the initiative in a structured way. And so with this we are building capacity So everyone is on the same page with the knowledge of what to do and how to do but in addition to that the countries that are further advancing the implementation in our region have actually shown significant improvement In the control of these conditions so hospital admissions will be decreased The complications that you may have, like amputation, strokes, heart attacks, will be decreased. And ultimately, we will decrease the deaths from these conditions.”

Britney Gordon for News Five.

MOHW Investigates Allegation of Neglect at NRH

A family claiming that they were denied care at the Northen Region Hospital shared a video on social media that went viral. In the video, the person behind the camera is heard saying that someone was suffering from heart pain and that care was being refused because other patients were being attended to. Under the impression that it was an emergency, the individual also said that the patient was dying because of the pain. The video prompted a release from the Ministry of Health and Wellness condemning any behavior that compromises patient care and safety. Today, Doctor Jorge Polanco was at the Northern Regional Hospital investigating the incident. News Five’s Paul Lopez reports.

Paul Lopez, Reporting

The Ministry of Health and Wellness is investigating reports of patient neglect at the Northern Regional Hospital. One family alleges that a loved one was taken to the hospital for treatment after she began suffering from heart pain. The family member further asserted that healthcare providers at the facility refused to help. Other patients were reportedly pleading with the hospital staff to assist the woman. That did not work, and the woman decided to bring public attention to the incident. Here is the video that she made public.

Voice of: Family Member of Patient

“Goodnight everyone, we are in the Orange Hospital and this lady is dying from heart pain after an operation and they don’t want to attend to her. All the patients that are here are pleading for them to help the lady and they simply said they wont attend to her because they have other patients. What do you think of this? The lady is dying of heart pain.”

We spoke with Doctor Jorge Polanco, the Director of Hospital Services, who was at the Northern Regional Hospital today investigating the complaint. Doctor Polanco met with the hospital staff that was on duty at the time. Here is what he told us.

On the Phone: Dr. Jorge Polanco, Director of Hospital Services, MHW

“She had had a surgery during that day which was considered a minor surgery, minor in that it was even done with local anesthesia. So the surgery was completed and she went home. However around eight o’clock she returned with pain. In reality it was not an issue of the heart, it was from the surgery done earlier before and she was having pain. The issue that she was not attended to was really not as it was depicted in the video. That person was seen at eight-twenty during the night, before the video was taken. She was seen by a nurse and when the nurse reviewed the overall clinical situation, she was told to wait a few minutes and then they would return to her. At the same time, the doctors were dealing with two other emergencies in the trauma room and the nurses was also busy. At eight twenty-four the nurse came out and called for the patient to be evaluated, four minutes afterwards, not knowing the video had been taken. Even the doctors or the nurses knew that video was taken until many minutes afterwards. And, I am claiming this because that is the time when it was recorded in our health information system automatically records the time when the entry was made.”

According to Doctor Polanco, the patient was seen by a doctor and given two injections to alleviate her symptoms. He further stated that the doctor who performed the surgery on her requested an x-ray to be done the following day. He says that the x-ray returned normal.

On the Phone: Dr. Jorge Polanco

“People would post concerns regarding long waiting times at the hospital. We went in depth as to the long waiting times and there is some degree of truth in many cases, however when people would wait long, it is not because they would not have been assessed. Some of those patients who claim they waited long, they would be at the outpatient section, waiting one or two hours, they would then be seen by a medical officer who said you need to go to the emergency room. At that point they would go to the emergency room, and they would be seen but they would be adding all those hours they wait elsewhere. And vice versa it happens, when the outpatient section is flowing with patients they would go to the accident and emergency room, but if the issue is not an emergency, they would be told to wait a few minutes while they finish with the other emergency. So, these are situations that form the context of these complaints regarding waiting times. Also we looked into the communication approach, we empathized to our staff that everybody should be patient centered, everything should revolve around the patient, everything that is done and said it should have some impact on the patient and the patient should be aware as to why he or she would wait, as to why he or she is given a prescription and many times the communication skills are not the best. It is something we are cognizant of, and efforts have been done especially here at the NHR where exposure to training and communication skills has been given.”

Reporting for News Five, I am Paul Lopez.

Patient Neglect at Northern Regional Hospital?

A video making its rounds on social media has forced the Ministry of Health and Wellness to launch an investigation. The video, which was recorded inside the Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk Town, shows individuals, including a woman, who were seeking medical attention.

The person recording the video says the woman was suffering from heart pain, and officials from the hospital refused to help. Other patients were reportedly pleading with the hospital’s staff to help the woman. That did not work, and the woman decided to bring public attention to the incident.

In a press statement, the Ministry said, “The video suggests that there was a significant delay in a patient receiving necessary medical attention.”

While the situation was resolved, the ministry says it takes “any allegations of patient neglect and staff misconduct very seriously.”

Ministry of Health says it will investigation allegations of patient neglect.

The statement said, “In response to the video and the allegations made, we have already commenced a thorough investigation to ascertain the facts surrounding this incident. The Ministry condemns any behaviour that compromises patient care and safety.”

This is not the first time that patients have been ill-treated at the Northern Regional Hospital. In March, Jaime Castillo complained on Facebook that he was disrespected by a female security guard.

A Dream For Kids To Drink Healthier

No sugar, no water, just pure, healthy juice. That is what Marjeli Alvarado, owner of Juiced by Mar told us when we asked about the contents of her cold-pressed juices, which are currently making waves across the country. Alvarado is hoping that she can get her juices to even more children by making them available in schools. News Five’s Britney Gordon reports.

Britney Gordon, Reporting

Belize City resident Marjeli Alvarado has been making juices for over six years, and in August 2023, she decided to launch Juiced By Mar, her very own company, to provide Belizeans with cleaner, healthier juices. In alignment with that goal, she launched Juiced for Kids.

Marjeli Alvarado, Owner, Juiced By Mar

“I have I have a dream, a dream and a vision that I want to see make an impact in Belize.”

Britney Gordon

“So what is that dream?”

Marjeli Alvarado

“So last year in July, the Ministry of Education started a healthy school. Healthy Belize campaign. And mainly, that is to eliminate sugary drinks from our primary school kids diet. And since I’ve been doing cold fresh juices for the past six years, I was like, wow, this can be the perfect opportunity. How can it be a coincidence? My dream and the vision that I have is to see my juices in all schools in Belize City. Not only in Belize City, but countrywide. It’s not something that I want to keep for myself, but I want everybody to benefit from it, especially our kids. It’s hard for us as adults to get out of our habitual ways that we’re stuck in, but it’s easier to work with our primary school children, right?”

Alvarado stated that her products are made from locally sourced produce.

Britney Gordon

“So you said that this is cold pressed juices. What is a cold pressed juice exactly and what makes your juice stand out from all the other natural juices that we see for sale in the market?”

Marjeli Alvarado

“First of all, we don’t have any heat added to the process. Secondly, cold pressed is a process of blending fruits and veggies. So you’re actually extracting the juices. from a fruit and a vegetable and you have to have a ratio of sixty to forty. It all depends on what you want to select, right? So there’s no water or sugar added to the process and when I say no water, zero percent water, zero percent added sugars and zero percent preservatives. So it’s all just the way as nature intended it to be.”

The Juiced for Kids brand offers three flavours, all themed around superheroes. Each bottle includes a fun fact about the ingredient’s benefits. Alvarado says that her goal is to prevent diabetes in children in Belize and hopes that these juices will make it into schools with the help of the government.

Marjeli Alvarado

“So for now the brand only has three different flavors. I have a Captain Carrot’s Plant. That is carrots with orange juice. And I also have a Mister Cocopina. On each of my bottles, there’s a superhero in a vegetable form. Like a cartoon character to appeal to the children. And the third brand is actually a Misses Apple. Which is green apples, cucumber, and pineapple which I’m going to make on set today. And I came up with these brands. We were simply in where I was in, in San Pedro, those three juices were our top sellers. And so from ten, why not just narrow it down to three, which is the average juice that, consumers would purchase on a daily basis.”

Alvarado offers a variety of flavours, including activated charcoal, which is made from locally sourced coconut husk. She also offers custom juices.