Belize City, Belize, February 18, 2022 (PAHO) – As part of the ‘Smart’ Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Project, funded by the United Kingdom’s Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office (UK-FCDO), four (4) critical health facilities, spread across the country were upgraded and officially handed over to the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW). These ‘Smart’ facilities are the last four of five health care facilities selected in Belize to become safer, greener, and more resilient to natural disasters and climate change.
The health facilities have new safety measures as well as green technology and improved patient flow allowing efficient and effective delivery of care during disasters, generating operational savings, and reducing disaster losses making it ‘Smart.’ The ‘Smart’ facilities include three polyclinics, one mental health facility, and one community hospital.
- Isabel Palma Polyclinic in San Antonio Village, Toledo District
- Independence Polyclinic in Independence Village, Stann Creek District
- Cleopatra White Polyclinic in Belize City, Belize District
- San Ignacio Community Hospital in San Ignacio Town, Cayo District
- Palm View Center in Belmopan, Cayo District (previously handed over in 2021)
The safety upgrades included the improvement of its hurricane and earthquake structural resilience, stormwater drainage, fire safety, electrical network, water supply, telecommunication and infection control, as well as replacement of damaged roof frames ceilings, floors, doors, and windows
The green upgrades included the installation of rainwater harvesting and additional storage, energy-efficient LED lighting, solar water heating and ~45KW in photovoltaic power systems, generators, more efficient AC cooling, ventilation and waste management, as well as improved water fixtures, plumbing and drainage. all aimed at lowering the operating expenditures and boosting contingency measures by providing backup power and water in emergencies
The functional upgrades included the installation of disability access ramps and handrails expansion of storage with appropriate cabinetry, renovation of the laboratory and pharmacy and some construction of additional indoor and outdoor bathroom facilities and washing facilities.
PAHO/WHO Representative to Belize, Dr. Noreen Jack, highlighted: “It is my pleasure on behalf PAHO/WHO to formally hand over to the MoHW the newly retrofitted San Ignacio Community Hospital. The objective is to enhance the protection of health facilities from disasters and climate change providing safer, resilient and greener health facilities to capable of delivering care in disasters, generating operational savings with enhance of energy efficiency and reducing disaster losses in the Caribbean. We thank the United Kingdom for their support through the partnership with PAHO/WHO both in Belize and the wider Caribbean. We also thank the staff of the MoHW for their collaboration, both the Planning Unit and NEMC for accompanying this project at every stage. We are happy that we have reached this significant milestone and look forward to completion of the retrofitting works as part of this project and other similar projects using the Smart Health Facility Concept.”
British High Commissioner to Belize, Her Excellency Claire Evans OBE, told the participants: “I am delighted to be here for the handover of these upgraded critical health facilities and see their transformation. Our UK grant is instrumental in supporting Belize’s efforts to reduce disaster vulnerability of vital public buildings and boost its climate resilience. It has also provided a helpful platform for risk reduction planning within the health sector. COVID -19 has further highlighted the importance of disaster preparedness and contingency measures at health facilities for staff and patients. The improvements will require careful and timely maintenance in order that they continue to operate and deliver their services most effectively for the people of Belize.”
Minister of Health and Wellness, Hon. Kevin Bernard, shared his appreciation: “On behalf of the Government of Belize and the MoHW, we extend our most sincere gratitude to PAHO/WHO, the retrofitting works as part of the PAHO/WHO Smart Health Care Facilities in the Caribbean Phase II Project. Likewise, we acknowledge with gratitude, the UK-FCDO - they have been funding the retrofitting works. The UK-FCDO has been an essential sponsor of these activities. These are the projects and the moments which make a real difference in the lives of our people. As the Minister of Health and Wellness, it gives me pleasure to be a part of this historic occasion as we witness first-hand the benefit of a real collaboration for the benefit of our people.”
The £46.3m Strengthening Health Facilities in the Caribbean (Smart Hospital) project is currently implemented in seven countries: Dominica, St. Lucia, Grenada, Saint Vincent and The Grenadines, Belize, Guyana, and Jamaica. With the assistance of Maheias United Concrete & Supplies Ltd. and Guerra's Construction Ltd. for the retrofitting works along with Gutierrez & Associates Architects for design works, the project was funded by UKAid and implemented by PAHO/WHO in close collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness.
Cleopatra White Polyclinic, Isabel Palma Polyclinic and Independence Polyclinic are expected to be handed over by the end of March.
SAFER + GREENER + MAINTAINED = SMART
ADDITIONAL NOTES:
Upgrade total costs Isabel Palma Polyclinic: USD $526,544.74
Upgrade total costs Independence Polyclinic: USD $1,349,301.62
Upgrade total costs Cleopatra White Polyclinic: USD $1,330,775.16
Upgrade total costs San Ignacio Community Hospital: USD $1,615,844.29
Before and after view of the San Ignacio Community Hospital
Before and after view of the Isabel Palma Polyclinic
Before and after view of the Independence Polyclinic
Before and after view of the Cleopatra White Polyclinic
Project Name: Strengthening Healthcare Facilities in the Caribbean (Smart Hospitals Programme Phase 2)
Funding Agency: UK Foreign Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) (formerly Department for International Development (DFID)
Implementing Agency: Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in partnership with the Ministry of Health and Wellness
