Four Belizean Doctors Begin Specialist Training in FEMH to Boost Local Healthcare

Four Belizean doctors have gone to the Republic of China (Taiwan) to receive specialized training. The team, which was selected by the Ministry of Health and Wellness, left the country on Friday, November 29. The doctors will undergo a three-year specialist training program in Radiology and Internal Medicine at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital. The initiative is supported by the Taiwan International Cooperation and Development Fund (ICDF). Minister of Health Kevin Bernard recently returned from a visit to Taiwan where he participated in a ministerial roundtable to discuss global health issues. Bernard said that getting training for Belizean doctors is part of ongoing cooperation initiatives with Taiwan. 

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: “As you know, when we visit these countries, it’s also where we continue to build bilateral relationships with our partners. I must say that I was able to bring from there the support for continuous training with our health professionals, especially now with digital transformation taking place in the health systems, where we will see more for the Belizean professionals getting the opportunity to be trained in Taiwan at the same time where there is going to be more exchange programs coming in terms of medical support coming from the country of Taiwan. So this is not just to visit, to go to a forum or to a conference, but we also take the opportunity to engage one-on-one with the ministries there. And I also had the opportunity to meet with Ambassador Pitts who is our voice and face within the country. And so there is where we also continue the dialogue in terms of what are some of the things that Belize would want to see in terms of the benefits that Taiwan has to offer. Taiwan has been a long ally of Belize and a good friend to Belize and they continue to support Belize. As you know when the Foreign Minister was recently here, there were commitments made to this country as well and in health we will continue to be beneficiaries of the support coming from the country of Taiwan.”

Those doing Internal Medicine are Dr. Ommer Landero from the Western Regional Hospital, and Dr. Ian Batty from the Northern Regional Hospital. Those doing Radiologist training are Dr. Keino Fairweather, also from the Western Regional Hospital, and Dr. Cristina Valdez from Corozal Community Hospital.