UPDATE TO PRESS RELEASE ISSUED ON OCTOBER 23, 2020
PAHO/WHO donates a total of three (3) patient ventilators to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) for the COVID-19 response
Belize City, Belize, December 4, 2020 UPDATE: The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) donated a total of three (3) patient ventilators, including accessories to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) to assist in the management of persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, especially in severe case situations.
In the October 23, 2020 press release, PAHO/WHO referenced the first ventilator being donated to KHMHA through funds received from Germany. Today, PAHO/WHO Representative of Belize, Dr. Noreen Jack, handed over two (2) additional patient ventilators, also purchased from the Germany funds, to the Chief Executive Officer of KHMHA, Ms. Michelle Hoare.
“Technical support provided by PAHO has been useful in allowing KHMHA to maintain optimal quality and responsiveness to the current COVID-19 demands,” said Ms. Hoare. “The selection of critical care equipment has been done in a participatory manner where the organizational readiness and capacity have at all times been considered before donations are procured and handed over. The quality of the equipment has been paramount in the selection process.”
With the donation from PAHO/WHO, KHMHA now has 19 functional patient ventilators to assist with the timely management of COVID-19 confirmed and suspected cases in the event it is needed. PAHO/WHO Belize, working together with partners, continues to provide technical guidance, capacity building, and the procurement of essential equipment to the Ministry of Health and the country.
Belize City, Belize, October 23, 2020 (PAHO/WHO) – The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) donated a patient ventilator, including accessories to the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital Authority (KHMHA) that will assist in the management of persons who have been diagnosed with COVID-19, especially in severe case situations.
“Ventilators are needed in severe cases of COVID-19 that progress to respiratory failure,” said PAHO/WHO Representative of Belize Dr. Noreen Jack. “Ventilators provide temporary support to persons who cannot breathe on their own, allowing more time for the body’s immune system to fight the disease.”
PAHO/WHO’s Health Systems and Services Advisor, Dr. Edwin Bolastig, handed over the ventilator to the Chief Executive Officer of the KHMHA, Mrs. Michelle Hoare, who expressed her sincerest gratitude for the donation from PAHO/WHO on behalf of the Ministry of Health and the KHMHA.
“With the increase in COVID-19 positive cases in the country, more and more positive patients with respiratory complications access care from our COVID Critical Care Unit,” said Mrs. Hoare. “Most of whom require ventilatory support. The donation of this ventilator is timely and will assist KHMHA to better respond in the event of a surge.”
The ventilator is the first of a set of hospital equipment for the COVID-19 critical care unit at the KHMHA being donated by PAHO/WHO through funding received from Germany. These investments are seen not only as a mean to enhance the hospital’s effectiveness in managing severe cases of COVID-19, but they represent the overall efforts to expand and strengthen the capacity of the country’s health system to improve patients’ chances of survival and save lives during and beyond the pandemic.
As Belize continues the fight against the COVID-19 pandemic, PAHO/WHO Belize, working together with partners, will continue providing support including technical guidance, capacity building, and the procurement of much-needed medical equipment to Belize and the Ministry of Health.
About PAHO/WHO
The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) works with the countries of the Americas to improve the health and quality of life of its population. Founded in 1902, it is the world’s oldest international public health agency. It serves as the Regional Office of WHO for the Americas and is the specialized health agency of the Inter-American system. For further information, please contact Pete Castillo, PAHO/WHO IT/Communications at castillpet@paho.org or Zenena Moguel, PAHO/WHO Communications Consultant at moguelzen@paho.org or visit paho.org/en/belize.
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| CEO Mrs. Michelle Hoare signs and accepts the donation of the patient ventilator from PAHO/WHO with Health Systems and Services Advisor, Dr. Edwin Bolastig. | Left to Right: Head of Intensive Care, Dr. Pedro Arriaga, Medical Chief of Staff, Dr. Marta Habet, Director of Medical Services, Dr. Beatriz Thompson, CEO Mrs. Michelle Hoare, and PAHO/WHO Belize Health Systems and Services Advisor, Dr. Edwin Bolastig. |
