Belize moves to modernize five hospitals through help from Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and South Korea

Published by BBNTEAM at April 26, 2022

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Posted: Tuesday, April 26, 2022. 3:43 pm CST.

Photo Credit: MED

By Rubén Morales Iglesias: A technical team of consultants from Consultora Multiprofesional Sociedad Anónima contracted by the CABEI is in Belize this week in its first mission to conduct an initial review prior to starting feasibility studies to support the Government of Belize in modernizing and improving the quality of the national healthcare services.

The Ministry of Economic Development (MED) said CABEI approved US$1,049,750.00 in technical cooperation grant funding to finance initial reviews and feasibility studies of Belize’s hospital infrastructure and equipment in Orange Walk Town, Belmopan, San Ignacio-Santa Elena, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda.

“The funds stem from both CABEI’s own resources and the Republic of Korea within the framework of the Korea-CABEI Single Donor Trust Fund (KTF),” said MED.

On Monday, MED CEO Dr. Osmond Martinez and Ministry of Health and Wellness CEO Dr. Julio Sabido welcomed the technical team of consultants, which includes Belizean professionals as well, and offered the Government’s support while they conduct their work.

“That million is just technical support for the reviews, studies, and blueprints. The next episode is the actual execution of that feasibility study which is the construction of the hospitals and the equipping of the hospitals as well,” said Carlos Pol of the Ministry of Economic Development.

The initial reviews will facilitate feasibility studies to be carried out for the construction and equipment of hospitals in Orange Walk Town, Belmopan, San Ignacio-Santa Elena, Dangriga, and Punta Gorda.

“We expect that once we have feasibility studies then South Korea will help with the actual construction of the hospitals,” said Pol. “The feasibility studies will give us options of what to do with those five hospitals but more than likely there will be new construction for all of them. That’s the idea.”

The Ministry of Economic Development said the overall objective of the technical team’s mission is to support the Government of Belize in improving the quality of national healthcare services.

The technical team will hold meetings at all five hospitals where they will inform hospital authorities of the activities that are to be carried out and will conduct an evaluation of the existing infrastructure and equipment at each of the five hospitals.

“In addition, the team will initiate focus group discussions with the following groups: Medical and Paramedical Staff to learn about the current challenges being faced by each hospital and their expectations for the future; Management and Administrative Staff to gauge their perception of the hospital network and IT management system; and Representatives of the Social and Labor Sectors to determine their perception of current health services offered and what progress they envision for the future,” said MED.

The Consultora Multiprofesional Sociedad Anónima is a consultancy company registered in Guatemala.

The technical team is comprised of the following persons:

Dr. Miguel Zea, Team Leader

Mr. Edgar Zea, Technical Specialist

Dr. Glenda Martinez, Public Health Expert

Dr. Victor Rosado, Health Expert

Dr. Ingrid Gamboa, Health Expert

Mr. Osmar Velasco, Expert in Disaster Risk Management

Mr. Daniel Mazariegos, Architect

Mr. Juan Leal, Expert in Evaluation of Social Projects

Mr. Javier Ruiz, International Affairs

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