By Government Press Office | BELIZE
BELIZE BELMOPAN, Belize – The ministry of health and wellness received two mechanical ventilators at a handing over ceremony held at the Philip S.W. Goldson International Airport on Monday, May 31, 2021. The donation formed part of Mexico’s official COVID-19 pandemic donation to Latin America and the Caribbean under its CELAC presidency.
In September 2020, initial discussions began between the ministry of foreign affairs and the embassy of Mexico for the donation of manual ventilators to Belize. Through the bilateral relationship, Belize along with eight other Caribbean countries also received a donation of ventilators. Two of the four mechanical ventilators, which were previously handed over, are currently in use at the COVID-19 Unit at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital.
Present at the handing over were Michel Chebat, minister of health and wellness; Dr Deysi Mendez, chief executive officer in the ministry; Orla Kantun-Coleman, director of international affairs (cooperation), ministry of foreign affairs and Foreign Trade; Dr Laura Elena Carrillo Cubillas, executive director for AMEXCID; and H.E. Martha Zamarripa Rivas, ambassador of the embassy of Mexico in Belize.
Mexico is a key partner for Belize through various bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements and projects. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Mexican government through the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation (AMEXCID), continues to support Belize in areas of priority such as health, environment, education, infrastructure, science, and technology.
The ministry of health and wellness appreciates the support provided by the AMEXCID and the government of Mexico to the people and government of Belize.