By Caribbean News Global contributor
BELMOPAN, Belize – US Embassy Belmopan, Belize Office of Public Affairs continued support of Belize’s COVID-19 response, on Monday made a US$ 50,000 contribution of medical supplies and training aid to the ministry of health and Wellness.
“This donation from the American people came through the Department of Defense US Southern Command
Humanitarian Assistance Program and was facilitated by the US Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office,” a joint statement said.
Chargé d’Affaires, a.i. Leyla Moses-Ones presided over the donation and reiterated the US commitment to stand with Belize in mitigating the pandemic’s impact on the country.
“The donation of these medical supplies and training on life-saving intubation techniques will meaningfully improve Belize’s ability to assist with severe cases of COVID and to contain the spread of the virus. [Today’s] donation further reflects a continuation of the United States’ PREVENT, MITIGATE, and CARE approach to help Belize keep its residents safe,” Chargé Moses-Ones emphasized.
The donation is valued at US $50,000 and includes personal protective equipment, filters, hygiene and disinfectant supplies, and training mannequins. The medical supplies will be distributed to healthcare facilities across the country as a measure of infection prevention and control in hospitals. The instructional
aid will be employed by the ministry’s training unit to guide healthcare workers on live-saving intubation
techniques.
“As the minister of health and wellness, I want to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation for this generous donation to the people of Belize. When fighting this pandemic, we are taking a ‘world approach’ and contributions like these go a very long way,” minister Chebat underscored.
In addition to Monday’s donation, the United States will donate 12 ventilators to the government of Belize in the coming weeks. To date, the American people have contributed approximately US $5 million in COVID-19 assistance to Belize, including US $2.34 million through the US Embassy’s Security Cooperation Office.
