Since the first alert of the new coronavirus, now known as COVID-19, and the declaration of a Public Health Emergency of International Concern (PHEIC) by the World Health Organization, PAHO/WHO Belize has been collaborating with the Belize Ministry of Health (MOH) to strengthen preparedness activities in the country.
On February 13, 2020, a press conference was hosted by the Ministry of Health to address concerns of the country and to acknowledge the efforts being done.
“The intention here is to address the concerns that people have in general, acknowledge that there is a lot of information and panic situations happening in terms of the response perceived that we’re having or not having,” said Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero. “I think we also need to underscore the work that is happening on the ground and behind the scenes perhaps that is not readily visible for the media and the public.”
Since the activation of the National Surveillance Team on January 23, 2020, the team continues to monitor all information and epidemiological surveillance activities concerning the COVID-19. Surveillance Officer of the MOH, Ms. Lorna Perez, was able to share the role of the surveillance team.
“Getting our staff sensitized in what we’re looking for, looking at case definitions, looking at sample collection and processing, and having our eyes and ears open at every port of entry is very essential,” said Perez. “This phase is very critical for us at the Ministry of Health to ensure everybody is on board, everybody is sensitized, and everybody knowing what their roles are within the response system.”
PAHO/WHO Emergency Coordination Lead, Ms. Lealou Reballos, also participated in the press conference and shared information on the active working relationship between PAHO/WHO and the Ministry of Health. To effectively support the ministry, PAHO/WHO Representative Dr. Noreen Jack, and the PAHO/WHO Belize office established an Incident Management Team to monitor and evaluate the COVID-19 situation and provide technical support to the country.
“We have been sharing information and we have been having coordination meetings with the Ministry of Health,” said Ms. Reballos. “There are a lot of technical guidelines circulating and we’re assisting in ensuring that guidance documents reach not just the clinical setting, but also the public.”
Also, PAHO/WHO is currently providing training to identify and respond to potential imported cases of the COVID-19. Two of Belize’s laboratory specialists were able to participate in this training.
“A PAHO training is currently ongoing in Mexico to increase capacity on the identification of the virus, itself,” said Reballos. “When they come back, Belize would have the capacity to carry out laboratory diagnosis of the new coronavirus in the country.”
Besides PAHO/WHO, the MOH has also collaborated with key stakeholders including airport authorities, civil aviation, Belize Tourism Board, Belize Tourism Industry Association, Ministry of Tourism, Border Management and Immigration Services, Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital, National Emergency Management Organization (NEMO), and the Belize Chinese Association.
In keeping everyone involved and a part of the conversation, Belize is building upon their response plan for the country and strengthening the relationships with the different stakeholders. This not only prepares the country for the current COVID-19 situation, but any future emergency response needed.
