Home » Environment Health
You are currently browsing entries filed in: Environment Health
The Monkeypox virus has now spread to eighty-eight countries worldwide, and in the United States alone, which is Belize’s number one tourism customer, there are close to nine thousand cases of the virus spread across forty-nine states. That’s according to the U.S Centers for Disease Control. The virus has increased in the U.S. from over […]
Written on August 9, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Health |
Comments Off on Monkeypox spreads rapidly across the U.S., but Belize Still Negative
While there’s no reported case of Monkeypox in Belize, the Ministry of Health is preparing its staff, primarily at the various points of entry in Belize to be alert to symptoms on potential patients. But in a sharp twist, there’s an increase in the number of chickenpox cases, primarily among children at this time, and […]
Written on August 9, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health |
Comments Off on While No Monkeypox Case Present Yet; Chickenpox Cases Increase
Musa said that vaccination has proven to still be the most effective weapon against COVID-19, even if the Omicron sub-variants bring mild symptoms. Hence, she advises those who are still unvaccinated to take their shots to lessen the symptoms of the illness. Dr. Melissa Musa, Dir., Public Health & Wellness, Min. of Health & […]
Written on August 9, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Dr. Musa: Key to Lessen COVID Symptoms Is to Vaccinate
The U.S., on Thursday, declared monkeypox a public health emergency after the virus was found to be spreading from state to state. But although about eighty percent of Belize’s tourists come from the U.S., there is no cause for serious concern at this time in Belize. That is what C.E.O. in the Ministry of Tourism, […]
Written on August 5, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
Travel |
Comments Off on C.E.O. for Tourism: Monkeypox Not an Issue for Belize Yet
The United States Government today declared the monkeypox outbreak a public health emergency, with over seven thousand cases confirmed in the U.S. Neighboring Guatemala announced its first confirmed case on Wednesday, while over ninety cases of the monkeybox has been identified in Mexico as of today. Across the globe, over twenty-six thousand cases have been […]
Written on August 4, 2022 | Posted in
Education,
Health |
Comments Off on Ministry of Education Closely Monitors Monkeypox Outbreak Ahead of School Reopening
Roman Catholic Bishop Lawrence Nicasio is tonight recovering at Regina Cleri, a home for retired priests in the Archdiocese of Saint Louis, Missouri, after he was diagnosed with cancer. A letter dated August first, from Bishop Nicasio, states that he was admitted at Mercy Hospital in Saint Louis in early July and underwent surgery less […]
Written on August 2, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places,
Religion |
Comments Off on Bishop Lawrence Nicasio Receiving Treatment for Cancer
Father Noel Leslie is one of three senior priests who will be assisting with Bishop Nicasio’s desk while he is away. Father Leslie says that the bishop is in good spirits and will be meeting with the clergy virtually. Father Noel Leslie, St. Joseph Church “In his absence, myself, Father Chi and Father Gongora […]
Written on August 2, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Bishop Nicasio Recovering and in Good Spirits
The Ministry of Health and Wellness has restocked its supply of AstraZeneca COVID-19 vaccines. A donation of ten-thousand doses of AstraZeneca vaccines arrived in Belize yesterday from the Government of India. This is the second direct donation of vaccines that India has provided to Belize. A release from the Government of Belize notes its gratitude […]
Written on July 28, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Ministry of Health and Wellness Restocks COVID Vaccine Supply
Today, the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital announced that its cardiac program is now reopened for persons with heart conditions who need medical attention. Over the last decade, through this specialty, hundreds of Belizeans have benefited from this cardiovascular service, but it was put on hold over the last two years. With an upgrade in equipment […]
Written on July 26, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on K.H.M.H. Reopens its Cardiac Catheterization Lab
As the country continues its battle with the COVID-19 pandemic and is in the process of recovery, News Five asked K.H.M.H. C.E.O. Chandra Cansino about that process for the national referral hospital. She says that while as an institution it has been able to resume some of its specialty services, there are challenges with collection, […]
Written on July 26, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on An Update on K.H.M.H. Recovery
The neighboring state of Quintana Roo, Mexico reported its first case of the monkeypox virus on Monday. The patient has been identified as an elderly person who is currently in isolation, listed as stable, and has no links to any Belizean or travel history to Belize. The monkeypox disease was first identified in humans in […]
Written on July 19, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Monkeypox Virus Detected in Neighboring Quintana Roo, Mexico
Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director of Public Health Services “There is no definitive reason or link to explain why it has spread, but the hypothesis from experts are saying that perhaps during the COVID lockdown there was some kind of spread that had gone undetected due to all our resources, all the lockdown, the emphasis that […]
Written on July 19, 2022 | Posted in
Featured,
Health |
Comments Off on Monkeypox Detection in Belize is “only a matter of time”
And while health officials remain on high alert for monkeypox, COVID-19 continues to spread across the country. Fortunately, the number of infections reportedly on a daily basis continues to trickle downward. Doctor Diaz gave an update on the status of COVID -19 in Belize. Dr. Melissa Musa Diaz, Director of Public Health Services “Yesterday […]
Written on July 19, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Health |
Comments Off on COVID-19 Numbers Continues to Decrease
There’s a new Omicron sub-variant now spreading in Belize and it is characteristically more vaccine-resistant than previous sub-lineages. And while the number of new infections is expected to rise in Belize, one reactive measure you should not expect to see is another lockdown of the country. Today Prime Minister John Briceño told reporters assuredly that […]
Written on July 13, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Featured,
Health |
Comments Off on Public and Private Doctors Hold Different Views on Mask Mandate
While the new vaccine-resistant Omicron variant is spreading in this region, medical professionals still advise people to go and get vaccinated. Today, the Director of Public Health and Wellness, Doctor Melissa Diaz-Musa explained why it is important for people to still get their shots. Melissa Diaz-Musa, Director, Public Health & Wellness “The literature is […]
Written on July 13, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health |
Comments Off on Dr Musa: Even With Vaccine-resistant Variant Spreading, People Should Be Vaccinated
We’ve been hearing about the BA Five sub-variant in other countries and now it has been confirmed to be in Belize. The Ministry of Health and Wellness issued a press release today, stating that forty samples that were processed between June first and twenty-eighth, and all were of the Omicron variant. While the majority – […]
Written on July 12, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Health |
Comments Off on Omicron BA.5 Sub-variant Identified in Belize
ABC Life Support will be hosting a basic first aid course for children ages eight to fifteen- years- old. The program is scheduled for July twenty-second, from eight a.m. until two p.m. Javier Canul, the Lead Instructor at ABC Life Support is of the belief that children can play a critical role in emergency situations […]
Written on July 6, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Basic First-Aid Course for Children
The number of new COVID infections is once again on the decline, but the government is still ensuring that it keeps up with its stock of vaccines for all age ranges of persons who can receive their anti-COVID shots. Today, the Ministry of Health and Wellness informed that it is awaiting the arrival of AstraZeneca […]
Written on July 5, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health |
Comments Off on New Batch of COVID Vaccines to Arrive Within Weeks
Belizeans are no longer required to show proof of vaccination before exiting the country via its land borders. While there is no Statutory Instrument in place to enforce this amendment, the change is being imposed by way of an internal policy decision between the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Immigration. The long-standing practice […]
Written on June 30, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Environment,
Health |
Comments Off on Proof of Vaccination No Longer Required to Travel Across Land Borders
According to the Minister of Health and Wellness, the next step in COVID-19 testing is to allow Belizeans to purchase rapid tests across the counter at local pharmacies. Minister Bernard says, his ministry has already granted approval to some businesses for the importation of rapid tests. While this will allow Belizeans to know their COVID-19 […]
Written on June 30, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Health |
Comments Off on Ministry of Health to Approve Home Tests for COVID-19
Reporters also got a chance to ask the Minister of Health for an update on the vaccination uptake for children between the ages of five to eleven- years- old. There have been reports that the uptake among this age group has been low. Well, Minister Bernard sought to dispel those reports, adding that he is […]
Written on June 30, 2022 | Posted in
Environment,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Minister of Health on Pediatric Vaccination Uptake
On Monday, we told you about Mexican tourism officials visiting Belize to meet with government ministers and their Belizean counterparts from the tourism and transport industries. Today, the Embassy of Mexico held another press conference, this time at the Mexican Institute in Belize City where representatives from the health sector in Mexico are looking to […]
Written on June 28, 2022 | Posted in
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Exploring the Expansion of Health Services between Mexico and Belize
There are a number of Belizeans who travel for services at medical facilities in neighbouring Mexico. Some would journey as far as Merida, Cancun and even Mexico City. The goal is not only to retain that business, but also to look at the feasibility of building a Mexican private medical facility also in Belize, as […]
Written on June 28, 2022 | Posted in
Foreign Affairs,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Looking at Possibility of Establishing Mexican Private Hospital in Belize
Medical tourism aside, one of the primary reasons Belizeans travel to Mexico is for the cheaper prices for medical services and medication. With these private hospitals having an interest in setting up in Belize, would it mean that costs will also go up? Olivia Laviada, Marketing & Medical Tourism Manager, Galenia Hospital “The doctors […]
Written on June 28, 2022 | Posted in
Foreign Affairs,
Health,
People & Places |
Comments Off on Will Medical Bills be Cheaper for Consultations in Belize?
The Ministry of Health & Wellness has announced the reopening of its Acute Psychiatric Unit at the Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan. The unit was closed due to challenges created by the COVID-19 pandemic. The unit was established to provide services to mentally ill patients who become acutely ill and cannot be managed at home. […]
Written on June 27, 2022 | Posted in
Economy,
Health |
Comments Off on Acute Psychiatric Unit Reopens
