Achievements in Belize

• Basic critical care course. This course was conducted as a pilot to strengthen critical care capacity. Twenty-five medical doctors and nurses, with no prior specialization in emergency care, were trained to stabilize critical patients before referral to Belize’s tertiary hospital. Participants from the four health regions gained essential skills to improve emergency response and patient outcomes, particularly in regions with limited resources. Over 50 stakeholders from different ministries, nongovernmental organizations, and the private sector were also engaged.
• HEARTS rollout. Belize made significant strides in tackling noncommunicable diseases (NCDs) through the rollout of the HEARTS initiative in primary care settings. Some 209 community health workers and 450 primary healthcare providers across all six districts were trained, thereby enhancing their capacity in community management of NCDs. Clinical pathways for hypertension and diabetes were developed, complemented by the procurement of 18 clinically validated blood-pressure measuring devices. Other efforts included implementing the HEARTS-D module for type 2 diabetes and promoting nutrition protocols, healthy lifestyle counseling, and self-care management to improve health outcomes for individuals with NCDs.
• Clinical Data Exchange Platform. As part of the European Union-funded Health Sector Support Programme, the platform was launched to strengthen the country’s health system and expand access to health information. This digital health platform enabled the interoperability of health information from various stakeholders, facilitating coordination in healthcare delivery. By integrating data across systems and including the cancer registry and ICD-11, the platform also provides insights into the country’s epidemiological and disease profile.
• Breastfeeding policy and infant and young child feeding guidelines. Implementation of the National Breastfeeding Policy helped to promote exclusive breastfeeding practices and improve child nutrition. In addition, an infant and young child feeding counseling tool was developed, and over 300 primary care personnel trained in its use. These efforts helped improve maternal and child nutritional practices across the country, ensuring better health outcomes for mothers and children.

• Health Sector Strategic Plan for equity and health system resilience. Belize advanced health equity and resilience through a strategic transformation of health systems and workforce development. A monitoring and evaluation framework and the essential public health functions guided the development of the Belize Health Sector Strategic Plan 2025–2034. This strengthens the country’s capacity to ensure equitable, high-quality health services for all Belizeans, particularly populations living in conditions of vulnerability, and positions the country as a leader in health sector reform.
• Malaria-free status. As part of the ongoing commitment to sustaining malaria elimination, a key achievement was the successful completion of a national competency assessment course by five malaria microscopists, carried out in accordance with international standards. This milestone highlights the country’s dedication to ensuring high-quality diagnostics and strengthening technical capacity across the health system. Supported by the continued implementation of the national malaria elimination plan and strengthened through regional collaboration, these efforts have further reinforced the national surveillance system and positioned the country as a strong example of sustainable postcertification malaria elimination.
• Antimicrobial resistance. Significant progress was made in advancing the national response to antimicrobial resistance (AMR) with the launch of the costed AMR national action plan. This milestone reflects a strong commitment to coordinated, multisectoral collaboration and the promotion of responsible antimicrobial use under the One Health approach. In alignment with World AMR Awareness Week, the initiative was further strengthened through national health fairs and dynamic community outreach events, which successfully engaged the public, raised awareness, and encouraged preventive practices.