Belize is being represented at the 61st Meeting of the Council of Ministers of Health of Central America and the Dominican Republic (COMISCA) by the Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Emmanuel Bernard.
The high-level meeting is taking place in San José, Costa Rica, bringing together health leaders from across the region to strengthen collaboration on key public health priorities, including malaria elimination, HIV and tuberculosis control.
Minister Bernard said that “Belize’s participation reflects its ongoing commitment to regional cooperation and health integration. By engaging with regional counterparts, Belize strengthens its voice in shaping collective health responses, accesses technical expertise, and benefits from shared initiatives such as joint negotiations for medicines and harmonised policies.”
The minister also highlighted how the forum offers Belize a strategic platform to advance its national health priorities. “This forum also provides a strategic platform for Belize to advance national interests, especially in digital health transformation and regulatory innovation, both of which are critical to improving access, efficiency, and equity in healthcare delivery,” he noted.
As part of the official agenda, ministers and their delegations visited Monseñor Víctor Manuel Sanabria Martínez Hospital in Puntarenas. The visit provided insight into Costa Rica’s efforts to modernise and humanise its healthcare system. Delegates toured various hospital departments, including Neonatology, Obstetrics, Pharmacy, the Comprehensive Ambulatory Continuous Care Centre (CICCA), and the Emergency Obstetric-Gynaecological Unit (UEGO). They learnt about the semi-automated pharmacy system, a patient-centred model focused on women and their families, and the country’s progress in digital health transformation.