Recently, there's been a social media public scare about a Kidney study that the ministry is conducting along with the Statistical Institute of Belize. The scare is that someone who was dropped off in a white tinted van with no identification and unmarked attire appeared at houses and asked questions about each families kidney medical history. After asking questions the person then requested that a blood test be taken. The individuals refused to give the blood test and the individual left.
Well, the Statistical Institute of Belize along with the Ministry of Health sent out a press release this afternoon to clear things up. First, the Ministry confirmed that it was not them who appeared at those houses. Even though they are running the study they stated that if your household is selected you can expect a trained interviewer who will have on a SIB shirt along with a SIB identification card. A trained nurse and phlebotomist will also be present to take basic tests but the individual's written and verbal consent will be taken first and samples that are taken will be destroyed upon the completion of the study. They too should have SIB identification on them. The ministry urges that participants verify proper identification before taking part in the survey.
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