Belize Looks to Honduras to Help Fill Healthcare Gaps

While more Belizeans are being trained locally and abroad, that process takes time. The Ministry has therefore been looking at other countries to help fill immediate gaps. One of those options is Honduras, and Bernard provided an update on the effort to recruit medical professionals from that country.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness:  “As you know that was initial discussions that we spoke about and we are still working on the MOU through the foreign ministry to sign with the Honduran government. Again, it is merely on three different approaches, one for Belizeans to be able to access their residency program as well in Honduras, exchange in terms of our health professionals and of course if we can access some of those trained specialists that are in Honduras and seeking employment otherwise. So those are the initiatives. So we are looking at all other areas as well. I mean, we’ve been talking to El Salvador, we’ve been talking to Nicaragua, and we are starting to touch base with some people in Mexico who have interest in coming to work in Belize too.”

The Government has also explored recruitment from countries such as Nicaragua and the Philippines. Bernard says the intention is not to replace Belizean healthcare workers, but to ensure that hospitals and clinics have enough personnel while the country continues building its own medical workforce.