Building the Punta Gorda Community Hospital in Belize to become Disaster-Resilient and Climate-Friendly

Belize is known for its natural beauty and vast biodiversity. However, Belize’s exposure to weather-related hazards with some low-lying terrain makes the country prone to the impacts of natural hazards such as hurricanes, storms, and especially flooding. Thus, disaster preparedness and response are crucial…

As part of the European Union (EU)-funded Health Sector Support Programme Belize (HSSP), the Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW) has been implementing a multi-year project with total funding from the EU of 8.8 million euros with the overall goal of “achieving a better quality of life, for all Belizeans, living now and in the future.”

As one of the largest projects being implemented in Belize, HSSP is a project created under the 11th European Development Fund (EDF). The project prioritizes disaster-resilient, and environmentally friendly health facility strengthening the structure, organization, and management of health services, and improving Belize’s health information system.

Located on the west coast of the Caribbean Sea in Southern Belize is the town of Punta Gorda (known as 'PG') of the Toledo District. The town has approximately 6,000 residents of mostly Maya, East Indian, Latino, Garifuna and Creole descent. With only one hospital located in the town, the Punta Gorda Community Hospital serves the people of the town and surrounding rural villages and communities and has been selected as one of six health facilities in the country to become a 'smart' facility. 

As the lead contributor to global health, the EU has been partnering with PAHO/WHO Belize for almost 20 years in various health projects that advance the goal of providing more efficient and higher quality health care for the people of Belize. 

“We have been able to rely on the expertise of PAHO/WHO in order to make sure that the funds that we made available are well used,” said H.E. Marianne Van Steen, European Union Ambassador. “I want to reiterate the importance the European Union attaches to assist countries to face this global pandemic through emergency support of the Health Programme. I wish you, Minister, and every Belizean person present today a lot of courage and good luck to ensure that you can face this challenge and the European Union will for sure be at your side, as much as we can to support you.” 

For full story visit: https://www.paho.org/en/stories/building-punta-gorda-community-hospital-belize-become-disaster-resilient-and-climate