Today, our opportunity to get interviews with the Minister of Health and his CEO came at a handing over ceremony for a donation from the European Union.
That donation was eleven Toyota Hilux 4 X 4 Pick-up trucks at Belize Diesel & Equipment Co. Ltd. compound in Belmopan. This comes as part of a Contribution Agreement from the European Union to improve and upgrade the Vector Control Unit of the Ministry of Health. We asked the donors and the recipients about it today:
Dr. Gerardo De Cosio - PAHO/WHO Representative
"For the vector control unit, and we are doing through a collaborative agreement with European Union to support Belize in the strengthening of all the vector borne diseases control activities in the country. Basically they will be working on prevention and control and fogging activities."
Kim Bautista - Chief of Operation, Vector Control
"Total value of the project is some 865,000 Euros, 750,000 Euros directly through the European Union, the balance of the funds coming through counter parts funding, meaning Ministry of Health, and PAHO. The 11 vehicles will be supporting, strengthening and the surveillance of malaria and dengue in Belize. The vehicles that are being handed over today will do directly to the Vector Control Units in the 6 Districts, so we should see a direct strengthening of surveillance in the communities as well as other activities such as ULV spraying or fogging activities"
Daniel Ortiz
"When will these vehicles be activated for use?"
Kim Bautista - Vector Control Chief of Operation
"Currently we're going through the process of licensing and insuring them this week and so we are expecting early to middle of next week they should be out in the regions doing their work."
Dr. Peter Allen - CEO Ministry of HealthÂ
"The European Union is actually the biggest donor to Belize as far as I’m aware at the moment and of course we continue to have a very good relationship with them, they insist on proper accountability and transparency in all that we do."
The vehicles have a total value of BZ$720,000. The Vector control unit is looking to acquire 6 ULV machines to equip these vehicles for spraying.
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