World Health Day focuses on security threats
In Belize there is no shortage of concerns over health. From the multimillion dollar government bailout of Universal Health Services to the growing gap between available treatments and the ability to pay for them, the nation’s health is an increasingly hot topic. And today, on World Health Day, authorities reminded us that our own well-being cannot be separated from the world around us.
Jacqueline Godwin, Reporting
In 1997, Avian Influenza or the bird flu caused the destruction of Hong Kong’s entire poultry population. In just three days, one point five million birds were killed by authorities in order to prevent the spread of the disease. Ten years later, the virus is not only affecting domestic and wild birds, but a highly pathogenic Avian Influenza Type A H5N1 has crossed the species barrier and as of April second is responsible for one hundred and seventy human deaths. These people became gravely ill after coming in direct contact with an infected bird.
The worldwide concern is that we may be on the brink of another pandemic, and that’s why today’s World Health Day activities focussed on global health security. In Belize, a one day symposium was held where the Ministry of Health and other stakeholders presented their plan of action to address diseases such as Avian Influenza.
Sandra Jones, Technical Advisor, PAHO
“Well actually what we hope will come out of this is that we would have a sold plan that the country will be able to utilise in the event that we have to respond to any one of the epidemics. You know we are responding right now to HIV/AIDS, which is growing concern for us and the threat to the entire development of the nation. So we want to seriously look at these issues and put in place mechanisms that we will be able, as a country, to effectively address.”
Health officials report that Belize’s poultry meat and eggs are safe to consume, but that does not mean we should become complacent.
Sandra Jones
“This year we are focusing on the international health and security. We live in a globalise world, we live in a world where you can travel from one continent to the next continent in a matter of hours and at the same time, we are seeing a lot of new diseases.”
“You know we have heard a lot on the international news, particularly about the Avian Influenza and the influenza pandemic and we believe it’s not if it will come, but a matter of when. And so as a country we have to prepare.”
The Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Pan American Health Organization, and The Belize Agricultural Health Authority have prepared a national plan of preparedness and response Plan in the event that the Avian Influenza or bird flu does threaten the country.
This year World Health Day, which is celebrated each year on April seventh, was observed today under the theme “Invest in Health, Build a Safer Future.”
