And turning now to other health news, the Central Medical Laboratory has gotten a much needed upgrade courtesy the European Union and PAHO. The facility has been retrofitted to improve its functionality and climate resilience. Here are the highlights from today's big reveal:
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"But I am very happy that we have reached this milestone today, where the EU, through the support of PAHO as well, has been able to graciously afford us almost 1.3 plus million dollars worth of retrofitting at the Central Medical Lab."
"As you know, since the fire at the Central Medical Lab, there has been a lot of issues with the facility, infrastructure-wise, and in terms of spacing, even though that we have invested in terms of increasing the capacity within the Central Medical Lab, there is need for better improvement, better work conditions, ensuring that the facility is more climate resilient, and so forth."
"And so this retrofitting ground breaking today is testament to the commitment as a government, and in the support of our partners in PAHO and EU, who have been able to reach this milestone. And I know that the staff at CML here are very much eager, as I mentioned, for this retrofitting, while, as I said, we have been able to see the improvement within the work that is being carried out here at CML."
Dr. Karen Lewis-Bell, PAHO WHO Rep.
"So the retrofitting of the Central Medical Laboratory is part of a bigger program, the Health Sector Support Program, for Belize. So this is a collaboration between the Pan-American Health Organization, World Health Organization Country Office, and the Minister of Health and Wellness, with funding support from the European Union."
"This is a program. It is roughly some US$10 million in total, and we focus on three strategic objectives. The first one is about improving the efficiency, the resilience, and the environmental friendliness of health facilities."
"The second strategic objective focuses on improving the organization of the health systems and services. And the third strategic objective focuses on developing a clinical data exchange platform, so that health information can be shared between the public sector, the NHI, Social Security Board, and the private sector as well."
"And the whole purpose of this Health Sector Support Program is to improve the health services in Belize, and to improve better health for all in Belize."
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