Belize commits $30 million to build its own healthcare workforce

By Breaking Belize News Staff (HP): The Government has earmarked $30 million for a ten year investment aimed at training more Belizean healthcare professionals and reducing dependence on foreign medical personnel.

Minister of Health and Wellness Kevin Bernard says the funding will support the training of doctors, nurses and other healthcare workers over the next decade, with the money budgeted across the full period.

“We will put out more training opportunities, more scholarship opportunities for people to be able to be trained in nursing and other specialties,” Bernard said.

The initiative targets longstanding vacancies in the public health system, particularly in specialised services and rural communities.

Bernard pointed to an ageing workforce as part of the pressure.

“We have health professionals who are aging as well and they will be retiring so we have to fill that gap. It’s a cycle, it’s a constant cycle.”

In the meantime, the ministry is looking abroad. Bernard says government is in discussions with the Philippines for nurses, and with Nicaragua and Mexico for specialised doctors.

The initiative comes as Belize continues discussions on the future of the Cuban Medical Brigade.

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