Healing Beyond Borders: World Paediatrics Gives Belize’s Children a Second Chance

A team of international doctors is giving Belizean children a new chance at life. Through the annual Paediatric Surgery Mission, World Paediatrics Belize and the Belize Specialist Hospital joined forces this week to provide life-saving surgeries free of cost to children whose families could not afford such care.

Around 60 young patients were screened, and about 25 underwent procedures for serious conditions. “Our patients are primarily from birth to 21 years… and we are here this week to do surgeries, paediatric cases that cannot be done by the local team here in Belize,” said Khandice Joseph of World Paediatrics Belize.

The surgeries included renal biopsies, bowel obstructions, gallstones, and Hirschsprung disease. According to Joseph, the mission’s goal is to treat cases that require expertise not yet available locally.

Ray-Ann Anderson, Head of Nursing at Belize Specialist Hospital, said the initiative is part of a larger vision to expand healthcare access. “We are still expanding some more… we are trying to bring other doctors in to provide services that can’t be done here in Belize,” she explained.

Robson Moreira, CEO of Medical Services Corporation, said the partnership was meant to last a day but was extended into four after seeing the overwhelming need. “It’s heart-filling to see the families, seeing the kids being helped,” he said.