The European Union (EU) and the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) donate consumables and reagents to enhance lab capacity for COVID-19 testing in Belize

These consumables aim at enhancing the laboratory’s capacity to continue the screening and testing for COVID-19 nationwide. The donation included items needed for the safe and efficient management of SARS-COV-2:

• 1 Eight-channel Electronic Pipettors
• 4 KingFisher plastic consumables for SARS CoV-2 Testing of 50 pieces each
• 5 Nuclease-fee water units
• 10 Magmax Viral/Pathogen Wash Solution of 1000 ml
• 10 Magmax Viral/Pathogen Binding Solution of 550 ml
• 10 Magmax Viral/Pathogen Elution Buffer 100 ml
• 10 Magmax Viral/Pathogen Proteinase K of 10 ml
• 12 KingFisher 96 deep-well plate v-bottom polypropylene

With the reorientation of funds, the continued donations from the EU and PAHO/WHO contribute to the project’s initial objective of strengthening Belize’s health systems towards achieving universal health.

PAHO/WHO’s, Health Emergencies Technical Officer, Ms. Lealou Reballos, handed over the consumables and reagents to the Central Medical Laboratory, Senior Medical Technologist, Mr. Aldo Sosa, who accepted these essential items on behalf of the Ministry of Health and Wellness and the Central Medical laboratory.

“The donation of these items greatly enhances our turnaround time in reporting RT-PCR results for SARSCOV2,” said Mr. Sosa. “And, further contributing to the national goal of alerting patients of their status as quickly as possible.”

As the country continues to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, PAHO/WHO continues to work in partnership with the European Union in strengthening the health services sector of Belize.