G.O.B. & PAHO Sign Agreement for Road Safety Project

An agreement has been signed between the Government of Belize and the Pan American Health Organization for technical cooperation in mental health and psychosocial care through the Second Road Safety Project. It comes by way of a loan from the Caribbean Development Bank to build the country’s road safety management capacity. Recently, there have been many fatalities as a result of road traffic accidents and for survivors as well as those left behind, there are significant emotional, psychological, and financial burdens on families of victims.  As it stands, the post-crash care system focuses on saving lives and physical recovery and not mental health. PAHO’s technical cooperation will strengthen the capacities of key professionals in emergency services and post-crash care by imparting skills in psychosocial support through a four-week national training for four cohorts.  PAHO will work closely with the Ministries of Health and Wellness, and Human Development, BERT, the Department of Transport, the Police Traffic Unit, the Municipal Traffic Department, public and private stakeholders, teachers and community members. The agreement was signed by the Ministry of Economic Development’s C.E.O, Doctor Osmond Martinez, and PAHO Representative in Belize, Doctor Noreen Jack.