Sexual health policy finally released
Sometimes the best laid plans get tied up by red tape, tape that can seemingly stretch for years. Such is the case of a health policy that is finally getting the attention it deserves.
Jacqueline Woods, Reporting
It is hoped that the Sexual and Reproductive Health Policy will not be placed on a shelf and forgotten, but actually becomes a reality after all it did take over twenty years to finalize.
Dr. Kathleen Israel, PAHO/WHO Rep., Belize
?We need to begin to look at the whole business of employing a coordinated approach to national development, to health development, and to social development. If not, we continue to fragment our efforts and we will not have the kinds of impact that we can have if we work cooperatively, collaboratively, and if we integrate what we do.?
If such cooperation comes about, what the document seeks to achieve will be put into action. Like the necessary conditions needed to ensure that men and women have access to sexual and reproductive healthcare. Director of Health Services, Dr. Errol Vanzie, says the policy includes all aspects of human development.
Dr. Errol Vanzie, Director of Health Services
?Including the control of sexually transmitted diseases, informed decisions as to how many children to have, how to space them, relationships between partners, male and female. The objective of the policy is to outline all of these important areas and to create the enabling environment where different sectors of society, including the Ministry of Health could educate the public and facilitate the achievement of these policies.?
One group of people the policy hopes to benefit is the young people of Belize who make up half of the population. Inspector of Midwives, Dorla McKenzie says she sees the policy as a guideline that will help eliminate health, economic and social problems affecting youth.
Dorla McKenzie, Inspector of Midwives
?How to help youths better prolong their first sexual contact, what it is about sex and health. There are lot of problems in having sex early. It can lead to cervical cancer; also today our population has a high rate of HIV/AIDS, especially among the young people. People as young as eighteen are being affected. These things not only affect their reproductive health, but their whole entire health.?
Following the policy?s launch, the concerned parties sat down to develop a sectoral action plan, outlining not only what needs to be done, but who will do the work. Representatives from government, non-governmental organisations and the private sector will be able to include aspects of it in their regular activities.
The policy has been in the making since the 1980’s but was only approved in 2002.
