ADVANCEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENTS OF THE XXIX RESSCAD ... · This sector is administered by various levels (the Public Utilities Commission which manages rates and capital development;

ADVANCEMENTS OF THE

AGREEMENTS OF

THE XXIX RESSCAD

MINISTRY OF HEALTH AND

BELIZE SOCIAL SECURITY BOARD

BELIZE

APRIL 9, 2014

Agreement No. 1: Governance and access to water with a focus on human rights

1.1

Achievements Belize Water Services Ltd. (BWSL) provides water for more than 75% of the populationThe rest of the population is supported by the Ministry of Rural Development (there are 113 rural water systems Expansion of the water system is in progress for 9 villages in the Belize DistrictRelevant training being carried outIn the capital, Belmopan, San Pedro and Placencia work is underway to expand the wastewater system Investment of BZ$3M in Belize City in new water mains


1.2

Achievement This sector is administered by various levels (the Public Utilities Commission which manages rates and capital development; Public Health which monitors the water quality; the Ministry of Finance which supports other ministries and works in conjunction with IDB, the Caribbean Development Bank and the World Bank)


1.3

AchievementsMonitoring water quality is consistent nationally for both urban and rural areasNational coverage of potable water is 96.5% (99.2% urban, 94% rural)Bottled water is consumed by 32% of the population (piped water consumed by 23%) Approximately 50 companies produce bottled water 95% screening is for bacteriology Screening for chemicals is not routine but is done for specific reasons, including PH, nitrates, conductivity, total of dissolved solids, sulfate, chloride National sanitation coverage is equivalent to 93.7%


1.3

Challenges Lack of legalization of drinking water regulations

Recommendations Submit to the Cabinet a Bill for the legislation of these regulations


1.4Achievements – At the national level, the Solid Waste Management Authority is implementing the Solid Waste Project which is funded by the IDB and whose objective is to improve waste management in the West. A regional landfill and two out of four transfer stations have been built and are in operation. Under this same project a consultancy is being conducted to prepare a National Strategy for Solid Waste Management.

Challenges1) There is a need to update the operational plan2) Lack of national policies for solid waste management

Recommendations - Formalize the interministerial coordination in relation to the management of solid waste

Agreement No. 2: Status of drug addiction on the continent and its impact on Central America

2.1

Achievements - The National Drug Abuse Control Council works with the Ministry of Education in programs such as:1) Interventions for the control of addictions which then converts into treatment once addicts have been identified2) Program for Parents - Drug addict children and children from dysfunctional families are identified and commence a mentoring program3) Drug Abuse Prevention Program - Vulnerable secondary schools are identified 4) Learning Program - In collaboration with local NGO

Challenges – Incorporation of some of these programs in schools run by the churches

Agreement No. 2: Status of drug addiction on the continent and its impact on Central America

2.1

Recommendations

1) Incorporation of drug addiction information in the curriculum of primary and secondary schools

2) Promote research / study on drug use in schools 3) Incorporate drug addiction competition in the annual health fair

Agreement No. 4: Towards the Elimination of Neglected Infectious Diseases in Central America and the Dominican Republic

4.1 and 4.2Achievements Diagnosis and treatment of diseases such as chagas,leishmaniasis and other geo-helminths. The Ministry of Health has collaborated with the Ministry of Education and PAHO for the treatment of helminth infections in school children with a dose of albendazole every six months.National Control Plans exist for the identification and treatment of helminthinfections in populations at riskMedications for leishmaniasis is more available in the Ministry of Defense.

Agreement No. 4: Towards the Elimination of Neglected Infectious Diseases in Central America and the Dominican Republic

4.1 and 4.2

Challenges - There is no specific national operational plan for Neglected

Infectious Diseases even though these are addressed technically within the Epidemiology Unit of the Min of Health.

Agreement No. 5: Equity in health through actions in primary health care that affect the social determinants

5.1AchievementsThe Ministries of Health, Education, and Human Development have collaborated on several projects / programs to reduce health inequalities including educational assistance, employment programs for young people with limited skills, gang suppression program aimed at reducing violence, and educational programs aimed at access to employment for women.In an effort to mitigate the effects of poverty, social programs such as “Development Opportunities for our Social Transformation" have been introduced and which is a cash assistance program of US$50 for women over 65 and men over 67.


5.2AchievementsWithin the Ministry of Health, service areas such as the Maternal and Child Health Units, Public Health, Health Education, and Nutrition collaborate for the improvement of water and sanitation, food security and nutrition, education and health promotion. Protocols have been established to provide minimum health standards.

Three projects are complementing the Ministry’s mandate : Mesoamerica Health 2015 InitiativeJapan Social Development Fund (JSDF) Peace Corps Family and Community Health Project


Challenges - Access to remote rural communities (transportation)

- Need to modify health messages to suit different cultures and literacy levels

- Lack of financial resources

Recommendations-Training for health care providers, particularly in risk communication - Behavior change communication models- Improvement of job aid tools

Rule No. 6: Emergency medical care to persons in transit insured by social security institutions in Central America and the Dominican Republic

All migrants have access to health services provided by the Ministry of Health. Social Security does not provide primary health care services.

Rule No. 7: Chronic Kidney Disease of a non-traditional natureAchievements - The Ministry of Health has been providing services to patients with End Stage Renal Diseases at two sites: Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital and the La Loma Luz Hospital. Currently there is a limited capacity both in infrastructure and human resource, therefore it is difficult to satisfy the real demand.

Challenges – Financial sustainability;-It is necessary for Belize to participate in research geared towards determining the causes of these pathologies-- There is a high cost of hemodialysis treatment

Documents

ADVANCEMENTS OF THE AGREEMENTS OF THE XXIX RESSCAD ... · This sector is administered by various levels (the Public Utilities Commission which manages rates and capital development;