First medical equipment donated by Japan delivered to Belize

Belize, April 25th, 2022- Belize received 76 of the 171 pieces of medical equipment donated as part of the “Project for Enhancing the Healthcare System through the Provision of Medical Equipment” by the Government of Japan and managed by the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS), with a total budget of USD 4.8 million.

This donation of medical supplies consists of 50 handheld pulse oximeters, 10 transport monitors with trolleys, eight blood gas analyzers, five ventilators; and three ambulances. The first delivery for Belize, valued at 417,575.23 US dollars, will be distributed among 9 public hospitals across the country. Some of the beneficiary health centers are:

• Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital (KHMH) in Belize City
• Corozal Community Hospital in Corozal
• Northern Regional Hospital in Orange Walk
• Western Regional Hospital in Belmopan
• Southern Regional Hospital in Dangriga
• San Ignacio Community Hospital in San Ignacio
• Punta Gorda Hospital in Punta Gorda
• Independence Polyclinic in Independence and Mango Creek
• San Pedro Polyclinic in San Pedro

“The Ministry of Health and Wellness, on behalf of the Government and people of Belize, expresses our gratitude to the government and people of Japan for this very valuable donation. My Ministry is committed to ensuring that all Belizeans are able to access consistent, quality healthcare, and the nine facilities which will benefit from this donation are critical to us achieving that goal. We remain grateful to our regional and international partners who recognize our determination to serve our people and are always ready to assist when called upon” stated Honorable Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness of Belize.

The remaining medical equipment for Belize which is expected to arrive in the coming months, includes Intensive care hospital beds, ECG, volumetric infusion pumps, ultrasound scanning systems, emergency carts fully equipped, among others.

This project supports the Governments of Belize, Guyana, Suriname, and Trinidad & Tobago through the procurement of critical medical equipment in response to the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Japan hopes to continue strengthening relations of friendship and goodwill with Belize and the other Caribbean countries, as well as to contribute to the global response against the COVID-19. It is in the mutual interest of our countries to continue collaborating closely to address the enormous health, economic and social challenge that COVID-19 has posed for humanity. I express my gratitude to the Minister of Health and Wellness, the staff at the Ministry of Health and Wellness and also to UNOPS for the joint collaboration and effort for effectively ensuring the provision of the medical equipment and supplies to Belize”  said Mr. Kazuhiro Iryu, Ambassador of Japan to Belize.

The agreement between the Government of Japan, UNOPS and the four countries was signed in March of 2021 and is set to help over 57 thousand people in the Caribbean. Only in Belize, 7920 people will benefit from the medical supplies.

“It is an honor for UNOPS, as a member of the United Nations System, to work alongside the Health authorities of Belize and the Government of Japan to respond  effectively  to the pandemic, strengthening the national health systems in order to support the citizens of this country; all while committing to fair public management and contributing to the Agenda 2030” explained Mr. Alejandro Rossi, Director of the UNOPS Multi-Country Office for the English & Dutch Caribbean, Costa Rica and Panamá.

Belize is the last country in the region to receive its donation, after the Ministry of Health & Wellness reviewed their health priorities. Overall Belize, Guyana, Suriname and Trinidad & Tobago are expected to acquire 681 pieces of medical equipment. 

For more information, please contact: 

Sandra Ramirez

Communications Officer

UNOPS Costa Rica

sandrarr@unops.org

Isabela Fraiz

Regional Partnerships Assistant

UNOPS Regional Office for Latin America and the Caribbean

isabelaf@unops.org