Two More Ventilators for Belize, Thanks to AMEXCID
There was a brief handing over ceremony on Monday evening at the Philip Goldson International Airport, where the Mexican government donated two breathing machines to the Ministry of Health and Wellness. News Five’s Isani Cayetano reports.
Isani Cayetano, Reporting
A pair of mechanical ventilators was handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness on Monday, despite a significant decrease in the number of patients hospitalized with COVID-19. The donation was made by the Mexican government as part of an initiative to assist Latin America and the Caribbean during the pandemic.
Michel Chebat
Michel Chebat, Minister of Health & Wellness
“Belize was among eight Caribbean countries to receive donations of mechanical ventilators for which I extend our gratitude to the embassy and government of Mexico. The Belize/Mexico bilateral relationship is multifaceted, consisting of trade, security cooperation and political support. Mexico is a key cooperation partner of Belize via various bilateral and multilateral cooperation agreements and projects. Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, Mexico, the through the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation, AMEXCID continued to support Belize in areas of national priority such as health, environment, education, infrastructure, science and technology.”
In September 2020, initial discussions began between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Embassy of Mexico.
Laura Cubillas
Dr. Laura Cubillas, Executive Director, AMEXCID
“Since the beginning of this pandemic as instructed by our foreign affairs secretary, the Mexican Agency for International Cooperation for Development has promoted different cooperation initiatives for Central America and the Caribbean through different modalities using all the technologies available in order to strengthen the regional capacities to face these new challenges while safeguarding the health and safety of our population. These medical devices that we are delivering today with all our appreciation for the people of Belize are the result of the knowledge, effort and collaboration of Mexican hands and they constitute a clear example that together we are stronger.”
Of the four mechanical ventilators that have been donated by Mexico, under its presidency of CELAC, two are in use at KHMH’s COVID-19 Unit.
Michel Chebat
“I express our greatest appreciation for the support and effort from AMEXCID. We direct our actions to achieve common goals through bilateral programs and regional mechanisms. Through the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Embassy of Mexico coordinated the donation of these manual ventilators to Belize and as well to the Caribbean. Two of these mechanical ventilators are currently located at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital which is the primary national referral hospital in the current COVID-19 pandemic. The Ministry of Health and Wellness appreciates the support provided by the Mexican Agency for International Development Cooperation and the government of Mexico for a total of four ventilators donated to the government and people of Belize.”
Reporting for News Five, I am Isani Cayetano.
