2024-08-09 - Greater Belize Media

I.O.M. Donates to Ministry of Health

The Ministry of Health and Wellness has received a donation of medical equipment from the International Organization for Migration. The equipment worth over one hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars is part of the project called “Building Climate Change Resilience and Social Integration of Displaced People in Settlements of Western Belize,” introduced in February 2022. The project is funded by the European Union with a grant of four point six million dollars that aims to enhance resilience in five Western communities. It included the construction of five community center that can be used as hurricane shelters as well as a polyclinic, upgrades to water systems in three communities, and the installation of culverts and drainage in two communities. It also provides a water bowser, firefighting equipment, and training. Now that the communities of Santa Familia, Billy White, Los Tambos, Duck Run One, and Duck Run Three have begun to see the infrastructural upgrades, I.O.M. has decided to invest the leftover monies in medical equipment. Head of the I.O.M. Office in Belize, Diana Locke, explains what the funds were used to purchase.

Diana Locke, Head, I.O.M. Office, Belize

“We are partnering with the government to do a project in Western Belize, five communities, and we thought that this was important. The polyclinic was slated to be one of the buildings constructed that’s been constructed by the government side, and we had some extra funds that were left. We were doing training, and we had some extra funds that were left, and we said, look, we wanted to see how we could support the polyclinic. In the funds we had little funds budgeted for that. Unfortunately, due to construction costs, it ate away some more of the money. And so we ended up with a hundred and fifty-one thousand dollars and we were able to, with the Ministry of Health, speak with them to find out what were the more critical items that they needed in the polyclinic. that they would have to purchase. And so, we came up with the list. There’s a computer and printer. We have waiting room chairs, refrigerators. That is very important for keeping the vaccines and the different things that they will need to administer in the community. We have diagnostic sets, tuning forks, Doppler sono-tracks. We have scales. We have pediatric scales as well as adult scales, the blood pressure apparatuses, EKG machine, we have patient trolley, crash carts, cardio monitor. We have the opal chair, the autoclave, the backboard, and spinal board, and we have cervical colors. So this is just a few of the items that they need that they will have access to in the polyclinic. By no means is it all, but this is a significant contribution to the operation of the polyclinic. So we’re very happy that we were able to use these funds to do that and which will benefit over – from the information – we have over five thousand people that live in those communities.”

Trio Charged in Freetown Road Robbery Remanded to Prison

Three men accused of carrying out a daring armed robbery on Freetown Road earlier this week have been remanded to the Belize Central Prison. The suspects are twenty-four-year-old call center agent Malique Chavez, nineteen-year-old Leroy Garoy, and forty-five-year-old taxi driver Harvey Sambula, who allegedly drove the getaway vehicle. Chavez and Garoy face charges of aggravated burglary and abetment to commit aggravated burglary. Sambula, in his defense, claimed he was simply doing his job as a taxi driver and is not involved in criminal activities. However, the court denied him bail, and he was remanded along with the others until their next court appearance on September twenty-third. The robbery took a deadly turn when a fourth suspect, Leroy Smith, was shot and killed during the incident. According to reports, Smith, Chavez, and Garoy used a handgun to force thirty-three-year-old businessman Michael Cambranes, owner of Casa Churros and Mini Café, into his establishment just before noon on Tuesday. As Cambranes was opening his business, the men demanded money. When Cambranes stated he had none, Smith, allegedly holding the gun, forced him upstairs. A struggle ensued, and Cambranes managed to disarm Smith. Fearing for his life, Cambranes fired several shots at his assailant. Meanwhile, Garoy and Chavez made off with a gold bracelet and a Samsung Galaxy cellphone, worth nearly four thousand dollars. Both men pleaded not guilty, but were denied bail under the Firearms Act. Sambula, who claimed he was merely providing taxi services, has been charged with abetment to burglary for allegedly aiding in the crime. Despite Sambula’s argument that he was simply running errands for the Vital Statistics Department, the magistrate emphasized the seriousness of the charges and denied him bail. All three men will return to court on September twenty-third.

Cop Charged with Assaulting Fellow Officer

Thirty-seven-year-old police officer Albert Sutherland has been charged with wounding another officer at the police barracks on Vernon Street. Sutherland, who pleaded not guilty, is accused of wounding thirty-four-year-old Dangriga police officer Arnaldo Ical during a confrontation. Following the incident, Sutherland has been placed on interdiction and released on bail of one thousand dollars. The alleged assault occurred on July twelfth, around 1 a.m., when Sutherland reportedly attacked Ical on the veranda of the barracks. Ical sustained a swollen left cheek and an injured lower lip. He reported that a fellow officer, whom he did not know by name at the time, had been pacing and cursing on the phone before suddenly walking up and punching him. Sutherland is scheduled to appear in court again on October seventh.

Bernard says MOHW working to Resolve Understaffed Hospital

The issue of low staff has been a growing concern in the health sector for years. And now, with the government’s plan to construct hospitals across the country, the question of who will staff these hospitals arises. Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard, says that the ministry is working towards creating environments that will attract Belizean medical professionals to work in the country.

Kevin Bernard, Minister, MOWH

“As usual, there’s always staffing needs. We continuously look at advertising for posts. They, whenever the new hospitals are built in these areas, those are the first that will be staffed. The other hospitals, for example, Western Region, where it is, those will continue to provide primary care service. But gradually, we have to ensure That the tertiary facilities are the ones that will be the priority areas that we’ll have to. Now, it’s a known fact that it’s across the region, across the world, even in the big United States of America, where there’s a shortage of about sixty thousand nurses in, in the United States. In big United States, what happened to our small country? So when they are short, they poach the nurses. from our countries in the region. And so we have to continuously put in measures in place to retain our staff. And that’s one of the reason why, when you look at the compendium of allowances for nurses and our health professionals, we’re trying to ensure that we create a package that will see them staying in our country to provide service, as opposed to leaving the country for other better packages that they offer, because they offer some of these people fancy packages. And I understand for example, in the U.K., they offer them house, they offer them scholarships, they offer them all sorts of things for the entire family. We can’t afford all of that, but we have to make sure that there is that. And I know that for the most of the persons who stay in this country, because they are committed to this country, they want to see our country better, they want to see better healthcare and they have given their life in support of service for this country in terms of the healthcare profession. And so we continue to look at those things. And there’s always, there will always be these challenges, but we have to make sure that there’s always planning in place to ensure that we have the adequate staff, at least, to provide the services that are required for Belizean people.”

U.B. Working on Resolving Student Portal Registration Issues

Schools are reopening across the country, and the students at the University of Belize have voiced their frustrations over the difficulties they have experienced in trying to register for classes. The students claim that the portal is not allowing students to sign up for their desired classes, but the window designated for registration is steadily closing. President of U.B., Doctor Vincent Palacio, says that the issue lies with the software used for the service, and that assures students that the university is in dialogue with the suppliers to resolve it.

Dr. Vincent Palacio, President, U.B.

“That was not sent to me, as the president of the university. We are doing all that we could to make sure this problem does not happen again. There’s a task force working as we speak. There’s a meeting, there was a meeting on with the supplier of the software that we use this afternoon. So we’re working diligently to make sure that we have the adequate system for our students. I’m aware of the concerns. I have two sons who go here as well. The frustration is real. So we are doing our best to address it.”

Reporter

“How is it that it’s just being addressed? I went to school ten years ago and I still had the same problems from then.”

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“I can’t speak to that. We’re trying our best. I’m the president today. We’re trying our best to make sure it works.”

Reporter

“It does speak though to the IT section of the school. You’re teaching IT but at the same, on the other hand you can’t figure out your issues with the IT. It’s not an IT issue.”

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“It’s a software that we buy from outside. It’s called Xenegrade. And they’re the ones who host the the process. They’re the ones who does everything for the process. So our IT just supports us around here. The bandwidth issue is one of the supplier of which if you notice for the bachelor’s degree registration. It was seamless. They did something that worked. So in the future we have to make sure we get do what works at registration time.”

Reporter

“But in the meantime, students feel like they’re being held hostage because they’re having to pay for extra semesters to take these classes that they couldn’t get into.”

Dr. Vincent Palacio

“I am not aware of that. Our registrar works night and day to get students in classes. If the classes are full, we’re adding additional sections. If these students need to get in classes, have them reach out to the registrar for assistance.”

Replanting Belize’s Mangroves to Preserve Biodiversity

It is no secret that mangroves are an important aspect of Belize’s environment. They contribute to the preservation of biodiversity and the removal of carbon from the atmosphere, bolstering the blue economy. However, deforestation continues to be a threat to the integrity of Belize’s mangroves. We asked the Minister of Blue Economy, Andre Perez, how the issue of deforestation is being addressed within the coastal zone. Here is his response.

Andre Perez, Minister of Disaster Risk Management

“We are still talking about issues about replanting as well. Of course, we realize and we, again, from the Ministry of Blue Economy standpoint, we all know the importance and the critical role that the mangroves play. Obviously, what we’re seeing or developing down south is also a concern for us. And the Blue Economy always plays a role in there. That is always good that we, the development happens in a very sustainable manner. And the blue economy understands that it’s always important that we take care of our mangroves and that much the development has to be looked at very carefully. So it’s a fine balance we have to look at. Of course, development has to happen, but certainly not in such a magnitude where once only people are destroying mangroves. We’re totally against that.”

Britney Gordon

“So you feel that we’re trying to take a proactive approach moving forward?”

Andre Perez

“In terms of our ministry and the Coastal Zone Management Authority Institute, we are working together. Also collaborative with all the different departments. In fact, just yesterday, we were discussing these things, about replanting, not only the mangroves, but as well as the forest reforestation. Actually, the project is going to come online very soon about replanting. So we got to do it in that way. In terms of that slash and burner, we talk about destruction of the forest. We have to find other ways, alternative, which we’re working on to be more effective and protecting our mangroves as well as the forest.”

Marina Coming to PG Says Mayor Galvez

Last night we told you that Punta Gorda Town Mayor Carlos “Obeah” Galvez is taking another victory lap, after the High Court struck out a U.D.P. petition against the town’s March 2024 municipal election. In our interview with Mayor Galvez, we also asked him about ongoing infrastructure work within the municipality, like the construction of a marina. Here is what he told us.

Carlos “Obeah” Galvez, Mayor, Punta Gorda Town

“I have been spending a lot of time focusing on trying to get the work done. The people of PG have given us a mandate. I am grateful to the prime minister and all the other colleagues, all those other ministers who are instrumental in ensuring PG gets its fair share. We have a lot of projects onstream. A milestone achievement is going to be that Joe Taylor Bridge. We have the House of Culture by B.T.B. and Anthony Mahler, a marina coming in place. As we speak, that hot mix truck is going down to PG and we are going to get five more streets hot mixed, hopefully by the end of September. So, the work is ongoing. There is a lot of work. I have submitted an additional budget for ten additional streets. So, a lot of work has been going on and I want to applaud my colleague Osmond Martinez. We are a great team and with him on my team we are going to accomplish a lot and stick to Plan Belize.”

Tragic Plane Crash in Brazil Claims All 61 Lives on Board, Investigation Underway

A passenger plane operated by Voepass Linhas Aéreas crashed in the city of Vinhedo, São Paulo state, on Friday, August 9, 2024. The plane crash resulted in the deaths of all 61 people on board. The aircraft, an ATR 72-500, had 57 passengers and four crew members. The Brazilian Civil Aviation Agency confirmed that the plane was in good operating condition and that the crew was fully licensed. Voepass revised the death toll from an initial count of 58 passengers to 57, along with the four crew members.

The crash, which occurred in a gated residential community, has led to a significant emergency response. While no local residents were injured, the site of the crash was described as a scene of destruction with a smouldering wreckage. Vinhedo City Hall has been coordinating with emergency services to provide assistance and has declared a three-day mourning period. The Brazilian Air Force is leading the investigation into the cause of the accident, with support from Brazil’s Federal Police and the aircraft manufacturer ATR.

President Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva observed a moment of silence at a public event in response to the tragedy. The investigation revealed that the plane’s black box was found intact, and initial data suggested the aircraft was diving rapidly before the crash. The incident is considered the deadliest airline crash since January 2023, when a Yeti Airlines flight in Nepal, also involving an ATR 72, crashed, resulting in 72 fatalities.

Belize and United Nations Host National Youth Dialogue Ahead of Global Summit

The Government of Belize, in collaboration with the United Nations, hosted a National Youth Dialogue today in anticipation of the upcoming Summit of the Future. The event, supported by multiple government ministries and the UN Country Team, gathered over 100 young Belizeans, including students and members of youth organisations, alongside policymakers and UN representatives.

Minister of Foreign Affairs, Francis Fonseca, highlighted the importance of youth involvement in shaping future global directions. “Our young people are the torchbearers of our future. Their voices and ideas are crucial in shaping the direction of our nation and the global community,” he stated. The dialogue aimed to enhance young people’s understanding of global challenges and involve them in devising solutions, focusing on sustainable development, technology, and the impact on future generations.

UN Resident Coordinator for Belize, Raul Salazar, emphasised that youth engagement is vital for achieving the Sustainable Development Goals by 2030. “By involving young people in dialogues like this, we are not only ensuring that their voices are heard, but we are also empowering them to be active agents of change,” Salazar noted. The discussions, structured around three key themes from the Pact for the Future, will help inform Belize’s contributions to the global summit in September.

The dialogue included panel discussions with youth representatives from Belize’s major universities and aimed to foster meaningful participation in national and international policy-making. Yannika Dorado, a participant from the University of the West Indies, expressed the collective readiness of the youth to address future challenges. “We are ready to take on the responsibility of working towards the SDGs and to ensure that our future is one of progress, inclusivity, and sustainability,” Dorado said. The event underscores Belize’s commitment to integrating youth perspectives into policy development and global discussions.

New Beginnings Youth Center Hosts Family Day and Calls for Continued Community Support

New Beginnings Youth Development Center, which provides residential, immigration, and psychiatric services for children aged 12-17, celebrated its annual Family Day this morning. The event, part of its summer program, highlighted the center’s commitment to supporting 13 girls and 18 boys through court-ordered placements for behavioural issues or minor offences, with the aid of 30 full-time and 6 part-time staff.

This year’s Family Day was marked by poignant moments as the center supported a minor who recently lost her father while also celebrating another child’s birthday. Despite these emotional highs and lows, the event demonstrated the center’s resilience and dedication to its mission.

With the children on a two-day break, the center is urging continued national support. New Beginnings remains optimistic and calls for ongoing community involvement to enhance its care and rehabilitation efforts.