Belize Times August 30, 2020- NHI For All Belizeans

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The Belize Times

30 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

APP

2020

Established 1957

30 AUGUST 2020 | ISSUE NO: 5213

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.biz | $1.00

NHI FOR ALL BELIZEANS “Our goal for the complete roll out of NHI is for every Belizean man, woman and child to be included.

We will ask everybody to register so that they can be provided with annual medical exams.” – Party Leader Hon. John Briceño

Pg. 2

ULTIMATE

SUPERSPREADER

Pg. 2 EVERYBODY FI WIN!

planBelize

Faber Has No Plan

Pg. 2

HEALTH AT THE KHMH OVERWHELMED Pg. 5

TODOS GANAMOS!

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30 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

NHI FOR ALL BELIZEANS

Continued from page 1 The unveiling of #planBelize fourteen days ago in a historic event was probably surmounted today by the virtual rollout of the People’s United Party’s Health Policy. A National Health Insurance for All was central to why the PUP synced historic with unprecedented and impressed on the world that Belize will be left in great hands once the United Democratic Party goes from comatose to extinct at the next General Elections.

The PUP’s rollout was one for the ages. It revealed to all Belizeans that the PUP 31 with leader John Briceño can fulfill the fierce expectation of now even a countering successfully the belligerent Coronavirus. Hope is filling the Belizean air since the PUP unveiled #planBelize and showcased REAL workable policies for the Education and Health of all our people.

The People of Belize have been enduring the double shock of an economic recession since December 2019 and a few months after the unforgiving Covid-19 which unmasked the United Democratic Party and revealed that the worse had actually come to Belize since their election to office in 2008. One would think that at least Health will be prioritized by the UDP but no-no. They placed a makeshift electrician in a move that told Belizeans that they and their health do not matter.

Now people are dying unnecessarily and the UDP and their criminal incompetence is to blame. Hurry Dean… the people have tolerated enough.

You, Faber and the proposed UDP set Got to Go!!

N.B.: You can find a summary of the PUP health policy in this newspaper or you may log online and find it the information on planBelize.bz. The complete rollout saved video of the event can be found on our Belize Times Press FB page, the True Blue FB page or most PUP FB pages.

ULTIMATE

SUPERSPREADER Do you see the UDP in action breaking any and all Anticovid State of Emergency regulations? Will there be any charges? The Commissioner of Police has set the precedent that pictures posted on Social Media are fair game when it comes to breaking the laws pertinent to the State of Emergency due to the infectious disease Covid-19.

The coronavirus high-jacked the term Superspreader and moved it to mean ANY event that is so anti-social distancing and enhanced by dysfunctional mask-wearing that the very coronavirus can be seen gleaming with joy as it moves from one or two infected attendants to many in attendance. These many newly infected now go home or to their hotel rooms and in a few days of incubation and asymptomatic periods pass on the newly replicated virus to loved ones at home, and workplace. Note, those that were in Hotel rooms would have already left and are now found all over. The

coronavirus is ubiquitous as it mounts on our freedom and Superspreads.

When people from Wuhan and other parts of China left to usher the coronavirus to the world that was a world Superspreader event.

When the UDP gather in close to a hundred people and take the picture that has travelled Belize and the world it is their own Ultimate Supersreader.

Regardless of when this picture was taken there are many issues that arise: The lack of use of a mask was definitely at an illegal level.

The social distancing was definitely distasteful and inconsiderate of vulnerable people that they themselves might be and those they will encounter.

We know we will wait in vain for any action to be taken. The UDPs are not normal and they feel that they are entitled even to disrespect the law at their convenience.

2020

Faber Has No Plan On August 21, Faber was slobbered over by the PM after Faber presented some dates to deal with education after his August 10 date to open did not materialize. The Prime Minister’s words reverberated as sarcasm since Faber’s dull presentation was drawn out since for some reason he felt a need to repeat everything he said twice. Either he underestimated his audience or knew he couldn’t explain himself well--both damning reasons.

Faber as is usual with the incompetent UDP failed to apologize for not having plan B ready before August 10. Everyone was telling him and his fellow Petrocaribe tacos CEO that August 10 for in-person classes was way too early. They arrogantly pushed forward an idea (no plan) to open and no other vision nor lesson plans nor security for our children nor resources. Faber usually builds without planning ahead—Marion Jones, Civic Center, Cultural Centre.

So on September 7 our children of Preschool and Primary School age are to begin classes. Wait for it....

Faber calls it distant learning but really he meant the students will be far from learning. He will give schools one twentieth of what was allocated for schools September snack post parade and ask them to use it for printing. As his horrid high school formula, no one knows exactly what funds they will get.

The schools will use this money to print material for the students.

Faber has NO IDEA how this will work. Faber has no idea how much content will be needed, no idea on the Core Subjects, no idea on the length of time needed to prepare the pamphlets. He seems to think teacher snap their fingers and Viola!

Parents need to understand that this is not being called Home Schooling. Faber did not explain this. After all, his repetition was to attempt to understand his own mush.

The reality was that Primary School teachers were given 14 days to print mystery assignments for some unfinalized core subjects for an undisclosed time.

From the 14 days subtract four weekend days which could be used unofficially. Let’s remove two Sundays and there are 12 days. Days to decide the core and the topics, two or three days will be needed with valid consultation. Nine days are remaining. Two or three days for parents to pick up the packages of printed work with Covid protocols in mind. Three days of verification, printing and compilation of the packages. That allows three days for teachers to prepare the content to be printed. In other words, just using basic math and logistics, the content should be ready by this Saturday August 29.

See Faber and the UDP are not ready for any reopening nor ready to educate our children point blank. All their time was wasted in their UDP Convention of Incompetence, they

were not preparing for our future.

Ignoring our children’s Education is abuse of our children. Unforgivable!!

Let’s switch to secondary schools which will begin until October 5. That is the same level of horridness and worst. Faber should have knows ALL ALONG that online teaching will be a part of student reality especially due to overcrowded classes. Again, what did he do from March to August? He announced a date, August 10 and done. He expected everything to fall in place.

So what is his plan to train Secondary School teachers on how to teach online sessions? He has none. Where are the Master teachers who will pass on their online teaching prowess to our teachers?

He just blurted a date.

His first step to helping the teachers with online teaching was to have them mandatorily be present in person to prepare lessons on paper before the Master Teachers present workshops on online best practices. Identifying these best practises will be a task that Faber has not envisioned. We only hope for the best for our children.

Faber is to Education as Pablo is to Health. Both have no idea what they are doing. Both should be resigning...one for the utter failure of our hospitals due to resources denied by Pablo and the other for having NO plan when he reluctantly reclosed the schools after the second and deadlier Covid wave landed and alighted to Belize.

No wonder he had to move from the classroom. Failed to plan, planned to fail. Now he has to move from office. What will be do when Oscar shoos him from Collet?

The Belize Times

Established 1957

14 APR 2013

|

ISSUE NO: 4840

The Truth Shall Make You Free

www.belizetimes.bz

|

$1.00

serving Belize since 1957 as the longest continuous newspaper.

Founder: Rt. Hon. George Cadle Price, People’s United Party Leader Emeritus OFFICE MANAGER

Fay Castillo EDITOR

José Jiménez

LAYOUT/GRAPHIC ARTIST

Chris Williams

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Roberto Peyrefitte Printed and Published By TIMES NEWSPAPER LTD. Tel: 671-8385 #3 Queen Street P.O. BOX 506 Belize City, Belize

Email: belizetimesadvertisement@yahoo.com

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30 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

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EDITORIAL THE END JUSTIFIES THE MEANS

T

he launch of the Health Policy is part of the wider vision of Plan Belize and what will become the plan of action to “build a Belize that works for everyone.” The PUP has come up with solid and realistically achievable targets that will dramatically change the experience of healthcare in Belize. The National Health Insurance (NHI) became a pilot project on August 2001 in the Southside of Belize city, in 2006 it was also rolled out in the South of the country. The National roll out of this PUP project was put on hold under the UDP. It took nine years under the UDP for NHI to come to the Corozal District. The PUP has made a firm commitment that NHI must become available across the entire country in the first year of the new administration. The changes in the health system will not be superficial and cosmetic.

The PUP pledges that there will be increased accountability and transparency in the acquisition of inventory, administration and the services rendered by the NHI. The establishment of a Bill of Patient Rights and the formation of a Health Body to receive complaints and concerns and the ability to also assist and respond when patient’s rights have been compromised. There will also be legislative changes to update archaic laws within the medical act and the Ministry of Health, new legislation to provide for the separation of powers so that the Ministry of Health is the regulator, another independent body will procure services and purchase, and finally clinics and hospitals will become the service providers. This will be done to establish adequate checks and balances, ensure compliance and reduce costs and leaks of resources due to corruption and cronyism. Strict tendering processes will be instituted and enforced so that Belizeans will enjoy value and quality for money spent and the illicit enrichment currently enjoyed by a few will come to an end.

The PUP has pledged to improve the Emergency Room services countrywide. To this end they will seek to construct new hospitals in Punta Gorda and Belmopan, establish a proper community hospital in San Pedro Ambergris Caye and a sub specialty wing at the KHMH. The changes will not be limited to legislation and infrastructure, because the PUP is cognizant that empty buildings do not a health care system make. The PUP commits to increasing the ratio of nurses, physicians and specialists per capita. NHI providers will have improved assessment and there will be increased support for the accreditation of other health care providers.

Targets and plans of action are merely the means to an end. In this case, the end result that the PUP and Belizeans strive for are increased complete health and wellness, which includes mental health and emotional wellbeing. The establishment of a mental health care facility at the KHMH and the increased services will fill the gaping void that has too long existed in health services in our country. In an effort to empower Belizeans and educate them about best practices to promote healthy lifestyles, we must do so at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels.

Health and Education will work together to better the quality of life for all Belizeans by fostering a culture that will result in the lowering of obesity and malnutrition which in turn reduces non communicable diseases such as hypertension and diabetes. This plan is comprehensive and seeks to bring together all the elements which will result in longer life expectancy, lower infant mortality rates, but most especially in a better quality of life for all Belizeans. In life we must ask if the end justifies the means…in the case of the current Health Policy before us…it does! #planBelize

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THE BELIZE TIMES

EDITORIAL

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30 AUG

2020

en Español

El Fin Justifica Los Medios

l lanzamiento de la Política de Salud es parte de la visión más amplia del Plan Belice y de lo que será el plan de acción para “construir un Belice que funcione para todos”.

El PUP ha ideado objetivos sólidos y realistas que cambiarán drásticamente la experiencia de la salud en Belice. El Seguro Nacional de Salud (NHI por sus siglas en inglés) se convirtió en un proyecto piloto en agosto de 2001 en el lado sur de la ciudad de Belice, en 2006 también se puso en marcha en el sur del país. La puesta en marcha nacional de este proyecto PUP quedó suspendida en el marco del UDP. Tomó nueve años bajo el UDP para que NHI llegara al Distrito de Corozal. El PUP ha hecho un firme compromiso de que NHI debe estar disponible en todo el país en el primer mandato de la nueva administración.

Los cambios en el sistema de salud no serán superficiales ni cosméticos.

El PUP se compromete a aumentar la rendición de cuentas y la transparencia en la adquisición de existencias, la administración y los servicios prestados por el NHI. El establecimiento de una Carta de Derechos del Paciente y la formación de un Órgano de Salud para recibir quejas y preocupaciones, así como la capacidad de prestar asistencia y responder cuando los derechos del paciente se han visto comprometidos. También habrá cambios legislativos para actualizar leyes arcaicas dentro de la ley médica y el Ministerio de Salud, nueva legislación para establecer la separación de poderes para que el Ministerio de Salud sea el regulador, otro órgano independiente adquirirá servicios y compra, y finalmente clínicas y hospitales se convertirán en proveedores de servicios. Esto se hará para establecer controles y equilibrios adecuados, garantizar el cumplimiento y reducir los costos y las fugas de recursos, debido a la corrupción y el amiguismo. Se instituirán y aplicarán procesos estrictos de licitación para que los beliceños disfruten de valor y calidad por el dinero gastado y se ponga fin al enriquecimiento ilícito del que disfrutan actualmente unos pocos.

El PUP se ha comprometido a mejorar los servicios de las salas de emergencia en todo el país. Para ello se buscará construir nuevos hospitales en Punta Gorda y Belmopán, establecer un hospital comunitario adecuado en San Pedro Ambergris Caye y un ala de subespecialidad en el KHMH. Los cambios no se limitarán a la legislación y la infraestructura, porque el PUP está consciente de que los edificios vacíos no hacen un sistema de salud. El PUP se compromete a aumentar la proporción de enfermeros, médicos y especialistas per cápita. Se mejorará la evaluación de los proveedores de NHI y habrá un mayor apoyo para la acreditación de otros proveedores de atención médica.

Los objetivos y los planes de acción son simplemente los medios para un fin. En este caso, el resultado final por el que el PUP y los beliceños se esfuerzan es el aumento de la salud y el bienestar completo que incluye la salud mental y el bienestar emocional. El establecimiento de un centro de atención de salud mental en el KHMH y el aumento de los servicios llenará el vacío que ha existido durante demasiado tiempo en los servicios de salud de nuestro país. En el esfuerzo por empoderar a los beliceños y educarlos acerca de las mejores prácticas para promover estilos de vida saludables, debemos hacerlo en los niveles, primario, secundario y terciario.

Salud y Educación trabajarán juntos para mejorar la calidad de vida de todos los beliceños, fomentando una cultura que permita reducir la malnutrición y la obesidad que a su vez reducirá las enfermedades no transmisibles como la hipertensión y la diabetes. Este plan es amplio y trata de reunir todos los elementos que darán lugar a una mayor esperanza de vida y a tasas de mortalidad infantil más bajas, pero sobre todo a una mejor calidad de vida para todos los beliceños. En esta vida debemos preguntarnos si el fin justifica los medios... en el caso de la actual Política de Salud que tenemos ante nosotros... ¡lo hace! #planBelize

30 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

2020

PUP NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY ROLLOUT Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez Head of the Health Committee’s Remarks

Covid-19 has really overwhelmed our Health system. So we need a Center of Disease Control and also Primary Healthcare is very, very critical. In this policy Primary Health Care for the commu-

nity base is going to be strengthened. But also our health services will be restructured and modern technology will be implemented as to improve the efficiency and also the quality of Health Care.

There is no doubt that with this Health policy the accessibility and affordability and the quality of Healthcare is going to improve.

I will say that now with Covid-19, it has opened or eyes.

A healthy nation is very important for our economic development and human development.

Thus it is this type of policy that will be covering all those.

I want to say thank you to all of those who contributed and please say safe, social distance, wear your mask and also wash your hands. Thank You.

Hon. Orlando Habet Remarks at the Health Policy Rollout Welcome! This morning, we are glad to present to you our #planBelize Policy on Health. For us on the PUP, Health is a human right. This is such because Belizeans are demanding equitable Healthcare for all. We do this especially for those who are on the margins of society particularly the poor, indigenous, and elderly in our nation.

For our party Health sense is common sense. Accordingly, the PUP government will develop an integrated h national health system for Belize where the main goal is Universal Health coverage for everyone.

Because we are committed to excellence in clinical and Primary Health Care we will work with all partners who engage in health services that can be measurable by the outputs and outcomes for whom it is supposed to serve.

We endeavour to bring out the best in the public and private sectors to contribute to the short and long-term quality, efficiency and financial sustainability of the system. Over the past 13 years the UDP administration spent close to 2 billion dollars in the Ministry of Health.

Currently our public health system is on the verge of collapse and Belizeans have lost all confidence on those that run that system. For their record is truly one of failure marred by rampant corruption and incompetence. It is this failure that now bares naked for all to see the inability of the system to cope with the coronavirus pandemic.

It will be our task to fix this. Our plan will start to drastically decrease lifestyle diseases. We must do this because our model will proactively seek to prevent avoidable diseases while keeping Belizeans healthy. Every child must learn how to live a healthy lifestyle and parents must do their part in an effort. Every adult must do their part in an effort to prevent chronic diseases.

And government must lead in the work to make us a healthier nation. For our health is our wealth. With a PUP government our Health sector will not only be viable but will contribute to the country’s economic growth and sustainable human development. To this end we say that by 2025 Belize aims to achieve Universal Health Coverage. That by 2025 Belize will have quality, essential, Healthcare services.

Before 2025, Belizeans will have access to safe, effective, quality and affordable, essential medicines and vaccines for everyone. A new partnership must and will emerge where local and international stakeholders will work together to the decrease malnutrition and obesity, increase life expectancy, reduce maternal and child mortality and mitigate the burden of non-communicable and infectious diseases in our nation.

Today, we will roll out a plan that is practical affordable and one that will ensure a healthier nation. So join us in this a accord, for this too is in line with our work to build Belize that works for everyone

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HEALTH AT THE KHMH OVERWHELMED “But what is most unforgivable is that through it all an incompetent Minister of Health, was given full reign to rule over the health system.

Today we are beyond the breaking point and the task to fix the system will require serious work and will require more than an electrician.” – Party Leader Hon. John Briceño The Karl Huesner Memorial Hospital issued a release on the 22nd of August in a sign of distress to the nation that the Covid effort that the UDP had months to prepare had quickly reached full capacity. In addition to this Emergency services to everyone else will be curtailed to the really serious cases. Who is to judge the latter as pain is hurtful across the board and no one expects to die?

The release is also a call for the Belizean people to not expect anything better from the UDP. We need to take care of ourselves. The coronavirus will not discriminate. It is as relentless as we the people try to ignore it.

Love your family and wear your mask properly.

Love your children and elderly and wash your and their hands as often as possible and needed.

Stay home and avoid crowds as much as possible.

Belize is small, we shouldn’t be competing with Quintana Roo for Covid infections.

Ignore the UDP. Let us beat the coronavirus.

Ahead is the press release…we can all help our frontline workers. Let’s!!

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30 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

QUESTIONS TO THE MINISTERS

1. Will the Minister of Education and leader elect of the UDP Patrick Faber please inform Belizean parents how to apply for 1 of the 8,000 tablets he will be given? An also, considering the 50,000 or more students who will be learning from home, can the Minister also say who will qualify for a tablet?

2. Will the Minister of Health please inform Belizeans which company or companies including the names of all the shareholders have the license to supply government with test kits for COVID-19?

3. Will the Minister of Works please tell the Belizean people when the road works to repair the highway at mile 38 of the George Price Highway will commence and considering the fact that one of his family members was just given a contract to build a welcome center in Punta Gorda worth over a million dollars, will Minister Montero also say if any member of his family is involved in the road repair project at mile 38 on the George Price Highway?

4. Will the Minister of Foreign Affairs please inform Belizeans when he will call home Lois Young Barrow from New York since the UN is working virtually there is no need for a useless Ambassador to be wasting taxpayer’s money in one of the most expensive cities in the world.

5. Remember Belize, we need to work together to be safe.

Wear your mask properly when you go out in public, wash your hands frequently, practice social distancing and if you do not have to go out: Stay home.

2020

BY ORDER OF CHARGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under and by virtue of a Deed of Mortgage registered at the Land Titles Unit between ELSIE GARCIA and STUART GARCIA (Jointly) of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of three months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT lot, piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 1532A comprising 245.789 S.M. situate along Tanoomah Street, Belize City, Belize District being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 125 of 2000 dated 18th February 2000 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey by C. W. Arnold, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan City, Cayo District as Tra. 168, Entry No. 1416 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon, the freehold property of ELSIE GARCIA and STUART GARCIA (Jointly) DATED this 26th day of August 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

CARTOON

30 AUG

2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

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Remarks by Hon. John BriceĂąo for the Launch of the PUP Health Policy Belize City, Wednesday 26th August 2020 -- Two weeks ago, our Party presented a clear and bold policy. It was the first roll out of #planBelize, which really was about the future. We featured our Education Nation first because we believe that it is through education that we build Belize.

As you just heard, from day one in government, the next PUP government will aggressively work to fix our broken health system. While I will not dwell on this, it is important to point out the failures and shortcomings of the present administration. For sure it was not because of COVID that our people can’t afford basic medicine for diabetes or hypertension. The UDP had twelve long years to complete the rollout of NHI and did nothing.

We will never forget those 13 innocent babies who died at the KHMH because of their mismanagement. There was the raccoon falling from the ceiling and rats running around in incubators.

But what is most unforgivable is that through it all an incompetent Minister of Health, was given full reign to rule over the health system. Today we are beyond the breaking point and the task to fix the system will require serious work and will require more than an electrician.

You have heard the various parts of the program from our very talented doctors and nurses who have been advising us how to fix our health system in Belize. Together, we present to you today our solution for fixing this broken health system.

Our coronavirus response will take effect from day one. It will ensure an adequate supply of essential materials for our frontline health workers. This will include Personal Protective Equipment, testing kits and reagents, and therapeutics, as well as the availability of proper guidelines and protocols for health professionals to do their work with confidence and without fear of being infected.

We must have the capacity to detect, investigate, communicate and contain events that threaten public health security; so there must be better public health surveillance. Also, we must improve our capacity at our laboratories across the nation so that we can get testing results faster. We need fast results to better analyse and react in a timely manner. We have seen the success of countries like Taiwan and how much they were able to flatten the curve in their own nation by rapid testing, and a strong awareness campaign about how to operate safely. Taiwan has been a true friend and ally and I intend to seek their advice and emulate some of their best practices in our own COVID response.

We also need to use technology to our advantage so that we can be more inclusive. We will promote the use of telemedicine and telehealth in the country so that all our doctors and nurses can work together to help patients.

Our planned response to this pandemic will address directly the Belizean people who will benefit from a reformed and more efficient system that starts with promoting greater awareness, including healthy living.

As you heard, the main focus of our #planBelize for Healthcare is the full roll out of NHI. The NHI program was started by the last PUP administration. Since then this UDP administration has done everything to diminish this program which was built especially to help struggling Belizeans. Today NHI is a shadow of what it once was, yet the high cost of healthcare is one of the biggest concerns of poor and middle-class Belizeans.

Let me reiterate that the next PUP government commits to provide universal primary health care, affordable and free at the point of delivery.

Our goal for the complete roll out of NHI is for every Belizean man, woman and child to be included. We will ask everybody to register so that they can be provided with annual medical exams.

The new NHI will guarantee optimum primary health care and management of our most frequent EXPENSIVE and DEVASTATING diseases attacking our nation such as COVID-19, dengue, diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, and cancer.

We will build a new wing for the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital to specifically deal with heart, kidney, and lung diseases.

We will establish a Public Health center for disease control, our own Belize Center for Disease Control.

For too long our Punta Gorda and Belmopan healthcare facilities have been abandoned, so our infrastructure priority will be on those first.

We will also build a Community Hospital for San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, with quality services for pregnant women and their newborn babies. It is time for the people of San Pedro to benefit from the taxes they pay to government.

I fully recognize the great need for us to address the mental health challenges we face across Belize. We must use technology to design and develop professional virtual mental wellness services in partnership with advocacy groups, NGOs, and schools. We can do this if we reach out through public/private partnerships and include regional partners in the effort to seriously address mental health.

We will bring down the cost of medicines especially for diabetes, and hypertension. If we can spend $180 million on one road, we must make it a priority for Belizeans to get inexpensive or where possible free basic lifesaving medications.

To this end within the first 100 days in office, I will instruct the Minister of Health to provide Cabinet with a paper to establish a government managed dispensary to provide low cost medicines for Belizeans who suffer from high blood pressure and diabetes.

In a time of crisis, we must retain, not fire, doctors, and provide them with basic and specialized equipment, incentives, and respect.

Our doctors, especially those in our public hospitals deserve better, they deserve more.

A major commitment of our #planBelize health policy will be the building of a separate and distinct Nurses and Allied Health School. Nurses, therapists, and care givers are the backbone of any health care facility. Nursing should be promoted as an attractive career choice with appropriate incentives and accepted as a base for an expanded role.

My government will embark from Day One on a sustained campaign to promote healthy living in order to avoid non-communicable diseases that are becoming more prevalent and at an earlier age.

Now I know you will be told by the dissenters that this is unaffordable, that is not true. From the data available, we find over forty million dollars being badly spent due mostly to waste and corruption. Currently over two million dollars in expired medicines are sitting in a container on the BDF compound. So we can find ways to better use what is already allocated.

And if we get our fair share of the profits from lottery and Boledo, we can move millions into financing our health program. We can afford to do this; in fact, I say we cannot afford not to do this.

Brothers and sisters, when I think about Healthcare, I think about FAMILIES for they are the backbone upon which our nation is built. My concern is that our families are falling apart and that your lives are on the line. But we can change this, and we will.

In our party, we know that everybody will win when we confront COVID more aggressively.

Everybody will win when we put NHI at the front and center of our system.

Everybody will win when we build up new health spaces.

Everybody will win when we take care of each other, not just physically, but emotionally, and mentally.

Everybody will win when Belizeans no longer have to choose between their urgent medications and food or when they no longer have to stand at a round-about with a sign begging for money to buy lifesaving medications.

Everybody will win when we have more nurses, doctors, and frontline workers willing to go out there every day to fight for the health of the nation.

For us Everybody Fi Win! Todos Ganamos! Thank you.

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30 AUG

THE BELIZE TIMES

PUP NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY ROLLOUT Dr. Lesbia Guerra Describing the National Health Insurance

This morning I begin by recognizing the hard work of public health professionals everywhere.

COVID 19 has stripped health systems naked and exposed their weaknesses. The pandemic has made it more difficult for people, especially for the poorest and most vulnerable among us, to meet their basic needs. As a region we remain particularly vulnerable because of high levels of labor informality, poverty, inequality, and weak health and social protection systems. Belize is no exception.

We cannot turn a blind eye to the fact that it is time to rethink the way of doing things. A central element in building a fair and just society is the right to healthcare with an urgent need for policies of greater scope and depth which will address the social determinants of health, particularly food and nutritional health requirements.

Public health must address the challenges of confronting health issues in relation to political, social, and economic factors, not only at the community and national levels, but at the regional and global levels as well. At the end of the day, public health is also political.

It is important that a process aimed at improving public health be based on sound scientific evidence. We will only be successful if we trust the credible scientific evidence of public health professionals. It is in this capacity and with the moral authority that I join in supporting a health policy that will undoubtfully uplift the quality of life and well-being of each and every Belizean. This policy will result in less poverty that is afflicting our country, and it seeks to narrow down gaps in accessing healthcare.

For the PUP health care is a fundamental human right and a public good that must be guaranteed to all. Hence, a PUP government will advocate for a health policy involving a comprehensive and universal system of primary health care and social protection.

This translates to the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) for every Belizean.

The latest data shows that 126,183 Belizeans are enrolled in the NHI. This doesn’t include Belizeans from North Side Belize City, Cayo, Orange Walk and Stann Creek Districts and most of the Corozal District.

This lag in its extension to the rest of the country has clearly generated inequalities, leaving 70% of Belizeans, to pay for their health care, whether through our impoverished public health

institutions or through private health insurance.

A PUP led government will enact legislation that will define the National Health Insurance Fund to guarantee the financial sustainability of the scheme and will clearly define the role of all stakeholders involved. The PUP, under the leadership of Hon John Briceño, has listened to the voice of the poor which resounds in cries for change.

Briceño and his team have embarked on fulfilling this vision with courage, political will, and determination to make sure that Belize gets the healthcare that it deserves.

A child from Arenal vil-

lage out west, who gets a high fever and abdominal pain will no longer have to travel more than 10 miles to access medical care.

A sick person from Jalacte in the Toledo district will likewise have that same opportunity to receive quality health care, just as a patient from anywhere else in Belize.

Each and every Belizean nationwide will be protected from enduring dire financial hardship due to catastrophic illnesses such as end stage chronic kidney disease, cancer and so on.

It is time to invest in our people and their wellbeing in order to create prosperous and solid communities.

We must spend carefully in order to reach out to as many people as possible.

A Fiscal Space and Costing Analysis studies conducted in Belize in July 2019 and October 2019 respectively with the support of PAHO/MOH/NHI identified areas of real budgetary opportunity, and provided recommendation on funding, capable of enhancing coverage and reducing equity gaps.

Furthermore, three health packages of incremental NHI coverage have been presented along with possible scenarios in its implementation. We must

2020

take heed of these recommendations.

Keep in mind that as our country transitions to subsequent phases in the COVID-19 response, the role of primary healthcare remains crucial.

Accessible healthcare needs to be continuous, and appropriate to the needs of the patients and the community. It must be well-integrated into the broader health system, in order to respond rapidly to emerging hotspots if we are to control the spread of the virus.

We say investing in a resilient Primary Healthcare system will not only help us weather the ongoing crisis but better position Belize’s healthcare system in adapting and responding to whatever new challenges we face, reaching out to every single Belizean man, woman, and child.

The People’s United Party will do what is necessary to make the plans I laid out for you come to fruition. We are committed to its achievement.

Let us now act to make Universal Health Coverage a reality.

Let us make it a more efficient and equitable system where everyone will be a part of our National Health Insurance.

Thank you.

Internal Auditor Vacancy – Call for Applications The Protected Areas Conservation Trust (PACT) is a statutory organization established in 1996 as a Trust Fund under the Protected Areas Conservation Trust Act, No.15 of 1995. PACT contributes to the financing, sourced nationally and internationally, of the Belize National Protected Areas System - a system that is managed by Government Agencies, Non-Governmental Organizations, and Community Based Organizations. Further, PACT is under the oversight of the Ministry of Fisheries, Forestry, Environment, and Sustainable Development, and is governed by a Board of Directors (BoD).

Position Description: The Internal Auditor (IA) is responsible for evaluating and improving the effectiveness of PACT’s financial control, risk management and governance functions in a systematic and disciplined approach. The post will provide independent and objective assurance and risk analysis services to the BoD with the intention of maintaining accountability and improving operational efficiency, governance and management effectiveness within the PACT. The IA position is expected to provide high level technical advice regarding these matters on an on-going basis.

Professional Requirements: • • • • •

Bachelor’s degree in Finance or Accounting; Qualified as a Chartered Professional Accountant and certified by the Association of Chartered Certified Accountants; At least five years related work experience in accounting; At least five years related work experience in risk-based auditing preferably with specific experience in financial risk and regulatory requirements reporting; Previous internal auditing experience.

Remuneration and Applications:

Compensation package commensurate with qualifications and experience within a designated salary scale.

The full job description is available at www.pactbelize.org. Interested persons should submit, no later than 12:00 p.m. Friday September 4th, 2020, an e-copy of their signed application letter, resume, and a list of two referees (names and contact information only) to hram@pactbelize.org and ed@pactbelize.org. The email is to be labelled as “Internal Auditor Vacancy – Application”.

PACT is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate against protected characteristics (gender, age, sexual orientation, race, nationality, ethnicity, religion, disability).

PACT is not liable for any costs incurred by individuals in relation to their application.

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PUP NATIONAL HEALTH POLICY ROLLOUT

Closing Remarks

by Dr. Julian Brown

Julius Espat Health Policy Reach to Rural Belize

The People’s United Party appreciates and understands the need for a concentrated focus on our rural communities when it pertains to Community Healthcare. It is important that Primary Healthcare be addressed at the base. It is important to that our villages get access to clinics. It is important that our healthcare workers get a minimum wage at least where presently they receive a hundred dollars a month stipend which is unacceptable.

It is important that the clinics be staffed and it is important that clinics have the necessary equipment to be able to deal with the villages the issues that affect our villagers. We have

examples in the rural communities, when a person gets a snake bite something that happens every day the person does not have access to the Western Regional Hospital District or other regional hospital depending on where they are.

So, it is important that our community Health workers are they and it is important that our health workers are properly equipped and that they are properly equipped so that they can be address the issues.

How will this affect our National Health policy? It will relieves the stress that is being presently put on our Regional Hospitals. If you can take care of the foundation if you can take care of the needs in the respective Villages then there will be less need for them to be transferred to the Western Regional hospital for example or in the Toledo District to the Southern Regional Hospital.

It is a very good thing that is being proposed here. A lots of professionals have been putting in their time and now that we are of the understanding and we know that NHI will be rolled out then all of this can fall into place easily. Thank You.

Remarks at the #planBelize Virtual Health Policy Rollout

Senator Hon. Elizabeth Bennett

VOTE FOR YOUR HEALTH – VOTE TO SUPPORT OUR HEALTH WORKFORCE You and your family are the most important persons in our healthcare system!

You deserve a health system that provides a holistic approach that will meet your health and wellness needs so that you can become the most productive citizens of Belize. Only a PUP-led government with a visionary leader in the person of Hon. John Briceño, will prioritize investment in the health workforce of this country. After all, was it not the PUP that procured scholarships for doctors to study in Cuba? Under the PUP many nurses were able to continue their advanced training and returned home to work.

Why is this investment in human capital such a high priority for the PUP? It’s rather simple! The People’s United Party is about empowerment of the health care workforce. We empower practitioners by providing training, but also, inclusivity in the concept of shared governance and decision-making. So each category of health professionals can rest assured that their

voices and concerns will be heard. Their recommendations to improve their working conditions will be implemented and, in turn, our health professionals will provide you with quality health care.

You might ask, how will the PUP achieve this goal to transform Belize’s healthcare system? Again that answer is rather simple. The People’s United Party will utilize international requirements and strive to meet the core Sustainable Development Goals related to health. This means that as your government we will strive to ensure healthy lives and promote the wellbeing for all at all ages. We will do this by increasing the training of the largest healthcare providers in the country—our DEDICATED NURSES. And not just train them, we will conduct research to closely examine the factors that will enable Belize to recruit, retain and make allowances for the advancement of one of our most valuable assets in the healthcare industry—OUR NURSES. The time to safeguard and protect our nurses is even more vital given the COVID-19 pandemic. The PUP is always about the people! That is why the next PUP government will ensure that our nurses and other health professionals receive the needed medical insurance, training and gratuity. Our health practitioners deserve this for the years of dedicated service to our nation.

Look, we all have to make choices!

Some choices are life and death choices.

Choose this health policy for it is about you and your family. For sure your life could depend on it!

Thank you for choosing your health!

Thank you for choosing to support our health workforce!

Distinguished guests, ladies and gentlemen, Today marks a profound and bittersweet milestone for all of us as we bear witness to both the current situation our country faces due to COVID-19 but also a vision for the future of healthcare and wellness for Belize.

Good health is the bedrock on which social progress is built. A nation of healthy people can do those things that make life worthwhile, and as the level of health increases so does the potential for happiness.

I am pleased to provide some closing remarks on the initiative done by the PUP to present their healthcare policies. I truly find them innovative, re-defining, feasible and in the best interest of all Belizeans to say the least.

• It brings much needed attention to the primary health care system that will not only guarantee the prevention of disease but also the promotion of healthy lifestyles and healthy living.

• Universal health coverage through the roll out of the National Health Insurance will promote that all individuals and communities receive the health services they need without suffering financial hardship • Accommodates for the elderly population by improving the accessibility of health care with mobile clinics.

• Envisions a holistic approach to health with the vision of mental health and mental illness centers • The implementation of a body that regulates quality of healthcare will ensure fair treatment to both patients and healthcare workers.

• Invests in health facilities and community hospitals where there is dire need for medical attention.

• Define adequate and proper guidelines and protocols based on scientific evidence for health professionals in the public and private sectors to do their work with confidence and without fear of being infected.

• Increases average life expectancy but most importantly increase the quality of life.

The pandemic has revealed that we need to modernize our healthcare system, be able to react and respond much faster and, invest in infrastructure. So, here’s where we need to go next. We need to transform the system to get people access to the right care at the right time, and in the right place. And when I say “need”, I mean “need”, because making this kind of transformational change is essential if we are to protect all Belizeans today and for future generations.

Thank you!

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!

Dear Editor, Short and sweet message…

Blessed be the PUP and this John Briceño.

Every time I listen to him I feel the country changing already. Like when he was with Barrow, he made Barrow look good.

Yesterday the PUP shone even greater as they added their plans to keep us healthy and care for us that cannot.

The PUP makes it so, so clear. In the face of a dismantled UDP, the hope that there is brilliance in Belize is a sigh of relief.

Someday soon I will be a grandparent and I wish

the best for my daughter and son as they start fending for their life in a Belize with an UDP that is so unforgiving.

May the Good Lord place more of his hands on the health of Belize. Soon we will be in more capable hands.

Thanks for the little corner, Real Belizean

NEEDED: Construction workers at # 1588 Seashore Drive, Belize City. Interested persons may contact Wilson Hernandez at 670-8835/623-1654 for more information.

LIQUOR LICENSE NOTICES Notice is hereby given that Shun De Tan is applying for a Publican Special Liquor License to be operated at “Kostin Treats” located at # 162 Freetown Road, Belize City, Belize District under the Intoxicating Liquor License Ordinance Revised Edition 1980.

BY ORDER OF MORTGAGEE NOTICE OF INTENTION TO SELL HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED a statutory body formed and registered under the Credit Union Act, Chapter 314 of the Laws of Belize, Revised Edition 2000, and whose registered office is situated at No. 1 Hyde’s Lane, Belize City, Belize District hereby gives notice of its intention to exercise its power of sale as Mortgagee under and by virtue of a Deed of Mortgage registered at the Land Titles Unit between DELFIN MUNOZ of the one part and HRCU of the other part.

HRCU will at the expiration of two months from the date of the first publication of this notice sell the property described in the Schedule below.

ALL offers to purchase the said property must be made in writing to Holy Redeemer Credit Union Limited from whom full particulars and conditions of sale may be obtained.

SCHEDULE ALL THAT piece or parcel of land being Lot No. 40, comprising 1021.613 Square Metres situate East of the Northern Highway (now Philip Goldson Highway), Near Mile 18, Sandhill Village, Belize District, being such land comprised in MINISTER’S FIAT GRANT No. 628 of 2012 dated 21st November 2012 and more particularly shown and delineated on a Plan of Survey dated 21st August 2012 by G.E. Valdez, Licensed Land Surveyor, recorded at the Office of the Commissioner of Lands and Surveys, Belmopan City, Cayo District in Register No. 4, Entry No. 12681 TOGETHER with all buildings and erections standing and being thereon the freehold property of DELFIN MUNOZ DATED this 19th August 2020 HOLY REDEEMER CREDIT UNION LIMITED 1 HYDE’S LANE, BELIZE CITY, BELIZE Phone: (501) 224-5644 Fax: (501) 223-0738 Email: foreclosures@hrcubelize.org

30 AUG

2020

VOICE OF THE COMMON MAN

HEALTH: THE NATION’S FUNDAMENTAL NATURAL RESOURCES

By Hilly Bennett Unquestionably, the launch of the People’s United Party Health Policy on Wednesday August 26, 2020 is most important regarding the development of Belize and its citizenry. Especially, when considering the expressions by C David Jenkins Ph.D. in A HANDBOOK of BEHAVIORAL CHANGE - BUILDING BETTER HEALTH, “Health is the first and most important form of wealth. Health - the physical, mental, and social health of an entire population is a nation’s fundamental natural resources. If health is ignored or wasted, farms will wither, mines will close, factory engines will slow their production, families will breakup and children’s laughter will no longer be seen throughout the community. If health becomes only the province of the wealthy, that nation will have an ominous future. The poor will struggle for equity and, even the wealthy, by feeling isolated or disabled or in fear, will stop enjoying their riches.”

The United Democratic Party Government has ignored the importance of the healthcare system for twelve years as evidenced in the shutdown of the morgue in Dangriga and the deaths of thirteen little angels in the neonatal intensive care unit the most egregious amongst many UDP failures as stewards of the health care system. Subsequent to death of the neonates the World Health Organization and Pan American Health Organization made several recommendations regarding the handling of infectious diseases.

To illustrate a heedless administration here are three: 1. Develop an Infection Prevention and Control Plan with annual goals, monitoring activities and hospital-wide communication strategy that are evaluated annually.

2. Develop and implement a laboratory improvement plan that supports the IPC activities, quality control measures, public health surveillance and communication procedures among clinicians, Infection Control Committee (ICC) and Infection Prevention Control (IPC) 3. Assign a qualified and experienced microbiologist as chief of the Central microbiology laboratory who should be the member if the ICC. Imagine the possibilities in the climate of the present health crisis.

However, the Leader of the Opposition Honorable John Briceño in

statesman-like fashion stated that “we are not...dwelling on it, except to point out the failures and shortcomings of the present administration.”

The aspect of health is multi-layered and preceding the launch there were representations, collaboration, consultation, and contribution by a diverse team to render an inclusive document.

The objective of the PUP was to achieve equity, affordability, accessibility and quality within the future of the health care system in the Jewel.

The policy component that pursues abovementioned goals is the revisiting of the National Health Insurance, a noble initiative realized under a PUP Government in 2001 as a pilot project. The intention, embedded in the Policy, is to enhance NHI in three phases to include several areas of medical services that was not envisioned in the original plan. Notably, NHI has been severely wounded under this worthless, incompetent, corrupt UDP regime with most of the services being denied to the recipients today. The NHI will be expanded and enhanced under a People’s United Party Government. This health policy will achieve the long awaited vision of “equal health for all.”

Notwithstanding, the objective of health for all was supposed to be achieved by the year 2000 and was considered the social goals of all Governments. This meant that health would be reachable by everyone in a given community.

The PUP is giving consideration to the health metrics and has focused on three core performance dimensions: (1) Who is being served?

Pro-poor targeting, affordability, scale of the organization’s operations (2) what is being delivered?

Health outputs. What types of products and services are being delivered?

(3) How’s it being delivered?

Clinical quality- what is the level of quality of services delivered?

The PUP is assuring a new charter to the health care system.

Only under a new government, a People’s United Party Government will the realization of “Health for All” will “see its sunrise.”

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The PUP is ready for day one in government to aggressively confront the present COVID-19 pandemic which is a catastrophe of the 21st century.

We are not grieving or dwelling on it except to point out the failures and shortcomings of the present administration.

John Briceño | Leader of the People’s United Party

Belize has a population of close to 400,000 people with a health system characterized by poor accessibility, poor quality and unaffordable health services. The average life expectancy is estimated at 72 years for males and 74 years for females, and specific indicators demonstrate there is ample room for improvement. Our population is mostly young, with 35.6 percent under the age of 15 years and 53.7 percent over 20 years of age, The elderly (60 years of age or older) only account for 6 percent of the total population.

A snapshot of our current state of our nation’s health shows that infant mortality is at 12.8 per 1,000 with higher mortality rates in the southern region of the country and there is an increasing prevalence of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes type 2, heart disease, cancer, homicides and road traffic accidents, All are basically lifestyle-derived and costly. In addition to health care cost all of these afflictions also contribute to low productivity at work, absence from work due to illness and a strain on our social welfare system. In addition, frequent infectious diseases of which the most important are dengue and HIV, Hepatitis B (HBV), Tuberculosis (TB) and the superbugs and the result is a constant challenge to our already fragile health system.

To turn this around, the next PUP government will promote health as a basic human right where the main goal is universal health care for the entire population. It will bring out the best of the public, private sectors and non-governmental organizations to contribute to the short and longterm quality, efficiency and financial sustainability of the system. Our health sector will not only be sustainable but will contribute to the country’s economic growth and sustainable human development where access to quality health-care services and access to safe, effective, quality and affordable essential medicines will be granted.

In light of the Covid-19 threat, it becomes most imperative for government to place highest priority on investing on raising the capabilities, quality and timely services of the national public healthcare system.

Continued on page 12

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In terms of specific actions, these are proposed: 1. The long-awaited roll-out of the National Health Insurance program to the entire nation will be done within the FIRST TERM in government. This will guarantee optimum primary health care and management of our most frequent EXPENSIVE and DEVASTATING diseases attacking our nation such as Covid-19, dengue diabetes, hypertension, heart attack, cancer, HIV, to name a few.

2. KHMH, as the premier and national referral hospital, is one of the main pillars of our national health system. In its present state, KHMH needs urgent attention from GoB to find the appropriate model and solutions that will facilitate the improvement of its organizational leadership and management, medical staff competence and remuneration, plant infrastructure and maintenance, financial management, and accountability and transparency.

3. All health facilities will be upgraded and essential equipment and supplies will be provided with state-of-the–art technology to deliver health care with minimal invasive surgery as laparoscopy, endoscopy, minimizing long hospital stay. An additional WING will be constructed at the KHMH to provide enhanced specialized services of the heart, kidney, brain, lungs and those suffering from cancer expanding our present health care services which our country needs NOW. Also a Public Health Centre for Disease Control will be established in the most accessible location.

4. A PUP GoB will construct a new health facility in Punta Gorda and Belmopan. The construction of these facilities will address the problems of the severely dilapidated infrastructure of the Toledo Hospital and Belmopan health facility, thus improving the health care services for people in the western and southern districts, and decreasing the need for referral to the already congested KHMH. Also a well-designed community hospital will be constructed in San Pedro, Ambergris Caye, with the aim of improving the services to all pregnant and new-born babies providing excellent-quality and accessible maternal services and other secondary services in that important community.

5. Fully equipped MOBILE CLINICS for the elderly population will be created in each district improving the accessibility of health care to our aging population.

6. A National Health Body where people can seek assistance and response to complaint of inadequate health service will be established. The PUP will institute a Patient’s Bill of Rights that will stress the key role patients play in staying healthy by laying out rights and responsibilities for all patients and health care providers. This will assist in the monitoring and evaluation of health services given to all Belizeans.

7. A strategic investment will be made in the health workforce. At the primary and secondary levels, there is shortage of primary health care providers, of doctors and nurses needed to provide adequate coverage to some essential interventions and core SDG-related health services. Thus an in-depth analysis of the low motivation and retention of graduated Belizean nurses will be conducted and a structured approach will be implemented for the nurse training program since ad-hoc training sessions are not sufficient to fill gaps in the nursing field.

8. Because health is a state of complete physical, mental and social well-being, a mental health policy will be implemented to strengthen the community mental health services. This policy will address the care of acute psychotic crisis, the forensic psychiatry and the basic anti-psychotic medications.

9. From the lessons learnt during the so-called first wave of Covid-19, the policy will ensure an adequate supply of essential materials, i.e. personal protective equipment, testing kits and reagents, therapeutics, etc, as well as the availability of proper guidelines and protocols for health professionals in the public and private secotors to do their work with confidence and without fear of being infected.

10. To ensure accountability, a practical, measurable and reliable monitoring and evaluation system will be put in place to tract performance in line with resource allocation in the public sector, thereby ensuring good value for money and assessing sustainability of the policy.

Continued on page 13

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2020

THE BELIZE TIMES

ACTIONS

13

PUNTOS DE ACCION

Our financing reform measures combined with our focused commitment eliminating waste 1. Roll out of NHI system to theto entire country. and inefficiencyofwill allowat us fully finance our 2. Improvement services ERsto in the entire country.

3. Skill management of high-risk Plan of Action for 2020 to 2025:pregnancy with industry

standard technology for all nursery departments at the regional and KHMH. 4. Legislation for revenue from collection of “sin” tax 1. Free Education Pre-School to to be used solely for NHI Junior for College 5. Legislation NHI: separation of functions where MoH is regulator, an independent body to monitor and be purchas2. Universal Pre-School Education er, private hospitals or public polyclinics are providers.

3. Establish A Teacher and Learning 6. Update laws and regulations within the Medical Act and Ministry of Health.

Institute 7. Audit of NHI program & Central Medical Stores.

4. 100% TrainedHealth Teachers 8. Update of National Formulary.

9. Formation of National Body where people can seek 5. 4 to 4th LaptopHealth Computer Program assistance and response to complaint of inadequate health 6. FairInstitute Accessa $5m High Fund service.

Patient’s Bill Education of Rights 10. Need to establish max cap$3m for medico/legal cases within 7. Equal Opportunity Rural Education public and private entities Grant Fund 11. Establishment of educational program at primary, secondary and tertiary levels onStart prevention of non-communicable 8. National Healthy Feeding diseases.

Program of a fair, competitive &transparent tendering 12. Establishment procedures.

9. Free Textbook/e-Book Program 13. Establishment of private/public health/PAHO commission Expansion Tohealth Highsystem.

School to facilitate integral

10. Expansion of African and Mayan History Program 11. Civics Education At All Levels

Nuestras medidas de reforma de la financiación, combinadas con nuestro compromiso, centrado en la 1. Desplegar el sistema de NHI aytodo país. eliminación del despilfarro la el ineficiencia, nos 2. Mejora de los servicios en las salas de urgencias todo el permitirán financiar plenamente nuestro Plan de en Acción país. para 2020-2025:

3. Manejo de la habilidad de embarazos de alto riesgo con la tecnología estándar de la industria para todos los departa1. Educación gratuita regionales desde el preescolar mentos de guardería y el KHMH. hasta 4. junior Legislación para la recaudación del impuesto sobre el concollege sumo perjudicial (sin taxes) que se utilizará únicamente para 2. Educación preescolar universal el NHI 3.5. Establecer un instituto docente yde defunciones aprendizaje Legislación para el NHI: separación donde el Ministerio de Salud es el regulador, un órgano independi4. Maestros al 100% capacitados ente esta para supervisar yportátil ser comprador, 5. Programa de ordenador (laptop)los dehospitales 4 al privados o las policlínicas públicas son los proveedores.

6. 4th Actualizar las leyes y reglamentos de la Ley médica y el Ministerio de Salud.

6. Fondo de préstamos para la educación superior de 7. 5Auditoría del programa millones de dólares de NHI y de los almacenes médicos centrales.

7.8. Fondo de subsidio para la educación Actualización del Formulario Nacional de rural Salud.de 3 millones dededólares para igualdad dedonde la gente 9. Formación un cuerpo dela salud nacional pueda buscar ayuda y respuesta a las quejas de un servicio oportunidades de salud inadecuado. Instituir una Declaración de Derechos 8. Programa nacional de alimentación para un del Paciente 10.comienzo Necesidadsaludable de establecer un tope máximo para los casos médico-legales en las entidades públicas y privadas 9. Expansión del programa de libros de texto/e11. Establecimiento de un programa educativo en los niveles, librosgratuitos a la escuela secundaria primario, secundario y terciario sobre la prevención de las 10. Expansión delno programa de historia Africana y enfermedades transmisibles.

12.

Establecimiento de procedimientos de licitación justos, Maya competitivos y transparentes.

11. Educación cívica en todos los niveles 13. Establecimiento de una comisión de salud pública/privada/ OPS para facilitar el sistema de salud integral.

TARGETS

The goal of a PUP government in education is to efficiently allocate the necessary resources with appropriate incentive mechanisms to align and streamline the roles and objectives of all key stakeholders- students, teachers, parents, management, communities and government- with a view to not only deliver quality education but also enhance overall student learning using measurable results not only in increased enrolment but more in importantly in and clear, a) Construction of new hospitals Punta Gorda Belmoimproved pan. student learning outcomes. b) Construction of San Pedro Community Hospital.

The next PUP government will form a team of creative c) Construction of a sub-specialty WING at KHMH thinkers who are ofbold, passionate, smart and d) Increase number physicians per 1,000 population progressive reform andnumber advance Education e) Increase to and organize ofour specialists per Policy 1,000 popAgenda.

This team will come from the public and private ulation. sectors as well as ourofsocial sector partners. f) Increase number nurses per 1,000 population g) Complete and support accreditation of all health facilities With over 100,000 students enrolled rates in ourofeducation h) Decrease prevalence and mortality non-communisystem from pre-school to university, we have a unique cable diseases opportunity shape future, change the future, build i) Improve to care for the diabetes, hypertension, cardiovascular the future. diseases and cancer j) Decrease prevalence of dengue and HIV. WE MUST NOT LOSElife THIS OPPORTUNITY! k) Increase average expectancy.

WE MUST NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY! l) Improve assessment of NHI providers. m) Decrease prevalence of malnutrition among children.

WE MUST MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE! THE PUP WILL MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE!

El objetivo de un gobierno del PUP en materia de educación es asignar eficientemente los recursos necesarios con mecanismos de incentivos, adecuados para alinear y racionalizar las funciones y objetivos de todas las partes claves interesadas -estudiantes, maestros, padres, administradores, comunidades y gobierno- con miras, no sólo para impartir una educación de calidad, sino también a mejorar el aprendizaje general de los estudiantes utilizando resultados mensurables no sólo en el aumento de la matriculación, sino de lo nuevos que es más importante, en unos a) Construcción hospitales en Punta Gorda y Belresultados de aprendizaje claramente mejorados.. mopan. b) Construcción del Hospital Comunitario de San Pedro.

El próximo gobierno PUP formará un enequipo c) Construcción de undel ala de subespecialidad el KHMHde pensadores creativos audaces, apasionados, inteligentes y d) Aumentar el número de médicos por cada 1.000 habitantes progresistas para reformar y avanzar nuestra Agenda de e) Aumentar y organizar el número de especialistas por cada Política Educativa. Este equipo vendrá de los sectores público 1.000 y privado, asíhabitantes. como los interlocutores sociales. f) Aumentar el número de enfermeros por cada 1.000 habitantes Con más de 100.000 estudiantes inscritos en nuestro sistema g) Completar la acreditación de todos los tenemos centros de educativo desde y elapoyar preescolar hasta la universidad, salud una oportunidad única para dar forma al futuro, cambiar el futuro, construirlaelprevalencia futuro. h) Reducir y las tasas de mortalidad de las enfermedades no transmisibles ¡NO i)DEBEMOS PERDER ESTA OPORTUNIDAD! Mejorar la atención de la diabetes, la hipertensión, las en¡NO DEBEMOS DESPERDICIAR ESTAyOPORTUNIDAD! fermedades cardiovasculares el cáncer j) Disminuir la prevalencia del dengue y el VIH. ¡DEBEMOS HACER QUE LA EDUCACIÓN FUNCIONE PARA k) Aumentar la esperanza de vida promedio.

BELICE! l) Mejorar la evaluación de los proveedores NHI.BELICE! ¡EL PUP HARÁ QUE LA EDUCACIÓN FUNCIONE de PARA m) Disminuir la prevalencia de la desnutrición en los niños.

METAS

TODOS FI WIN! BLU GANAMOS! EVERYBODY

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2020

SIX STEPS TO MAKE GOVERNMENT MORE ACCOUNTABLE First, we will ensure an Independent Public Accounts Committee. One that is strengthened so that substantive ministers cannot be members of the PAC. As well, all House Committee meetings, including PAC meetings will be open to the public and streamed live.

Second, the Integrity Commission must do its job effectively. To do so it should no longer be controlled by the Party in Government. Likewise, we will put in place a mechanism to ensure the financial independence of the Integrity Commission with a budget to be approved by the National Assembly. They need the tools and personnel to get the job done!

Third, the recent cases of misappropriation of government funds is a clear indication that we need a strong and independent office of the Auditor General.

• The next PUP Government will ensure that the Auditor General’s Office has unrestricted access to information and with full powers of investigation, including subpoena powers to ensure that requests for information and documentation are complied with expeditiously.

• The Auditor General’s office will be permitted to submit their budget directly to the National Assembly for approval.

• Most important, we will ensure that the Auditor General is allowed to present reports directly to the National Assembly and not only to the Prime Minister.

Fourth, the PUP will not only implement UNCAC, but we will also enact Campaign Finance Legislation.

• In the first 100 days, the new PUP government will direct the Office of the Attorney General to draft Campaign Finance legislation which will be subject to national consultations and review before a final bill is tabled and passed into law.

Fifth we must make the National Assembly function as the centerpiece of our government, complete with all requisite checks and balances.

• That means that the next PUP Government will ensure a minimum of one House Sitting per month.

And sixth now that Senator Aldo Salazar has finally released the findings of the Senate Select Committee on the hustle at the Department of Immigration.

• We demand follow up action including criminal investigation and prosecution as deemed necessary.

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Virtual Rollout of

HEALTH CARE POLICY August 26, 2020

Party Leader Hon. John Briceño

Guests:

Our financing reform measures combined with our focused commitment to eliminating waste and inefficiency will allow us to fully finance our Plan of Action for 2020 to 2025: 1. Free Education from Pre-School to Junior College 2. Universal Pre-School Education 3. Establish A Teacher and Learning Institute 4. 100% Trained Teachers 5. 4 to 4th Laptop Computer Program 6. Fair Access $5m High Education Fund 7. Equal Opportunity $3m Rural Education Grant Fund 8. National Healthy Start Feeding

Head of Health Committee, Dr. Marco Tulio Mendez

Senator Hon. Elizabeth Bennett

Program 9. Free Textbook/e-Book Program Expansion To High School 10. Expansion of African and Mayan History Program Belize Rural Central 11. Civics Education At All Levels Corozal Bay Standard Bearer – Standard Bearer – Dolores Balderamos Garcia DavidThe ‘Dido’ Vega goal of a PUP government in education is to

Dr. Daisy Garcia

Nuestras medidas de reforma de la financiación, combinadas con nuestro compromiso, centrado en la eliminación del despilfarro y la ineficiencia, nos permitirán financiar plenamente nuestro Plan de Acción para 2020-2025: 1. Educación gratuita desde el preescolar hasta junior college 2. Educación preescolar universal 3. Establecer un instituto docente y de aprendizaje 4. Maestros al 100% capacitados 5. Programa de ordenador portátil (laptop) de 4 al 4th 6. Fondo de préstamos para la educación superior de 5 millones de dólares 7. Fondo de subsidio para la educación rural de 3 millones de dólares la igualdad The PUP is ready for day one para in government to de aggressively confront the present COVID-19 oportunidades pandemic which is a catastrophe of the 21st century.

8. Programa nacional de alimentación para un We are not grieving or dwelling on it except to point comienzo out the failures and saludable shortcomings of the present administration.

9. Expansión del programa de libros de texto/elibrosgratuitos a la escuela secundaria John Briceño | Leader of the People’s United Party 10. Expansión del programa de historia Africana y Maya 11. Educación cívica en todos los niveles

Stann Creek West Standard Bearer – Hon. Rodwell Ferguson

Mesopotamia Standard Bearer – Dr. Candice Pitts

efficiently allocate the necessary resources with appropriate incentive mechanisms to align and streamline the roles and objectives of all key stakeholders- students, teachers, parents, management, communities and government- with a view to not only deliver quality education but also enhance overall student learning using measurable results not only in increased enrolment but more importantly in clear, improved student learning outcomes.

El objetivo de un gobierno del PUP en materia de educación es asignar eficientemente los recursos necesarios con mecanismos de incentivos, adecuados para alinear y racionalizar las funciones y objetivos de todas las partes claves interesadas -estudiantes, maestros, padres, administradores, comunidades y gobierno- con miras, no sólo para impartir una educación de calidad, sino también a mejorar el aprendizaje general de los estudiantes utilizando resultados mensurables no sólo en el aumento de la matriculación, sino lo que es más importante, en unos resultados de aprendizaje claramente mejorados..

The next PUP government will form a team of creative who are bold, passionate, smart and Orangethinkers Walk North Caribbean progressive advance our Shores Education Policy Standard Bearerto– reform andStandard Bearer – private Agenda.

This team will come from the public and Ramonsectors ‘Monchi’ Hon. Kareem Musa as well as our social sector partners.

El próximo gobierno del PUP formará un equipo de pensadores creativos audaces, apasionados, inteligentes y Belize Rural South South Standard progresistas para reformar Cayo y avanzar nuestra Agenda de Política Educativa.

Este equipo vendrá de los sectores Standard Bearer – Bearer – Hon. Julius público y privado, así como los interlocutores Andre Perez Espat sociales.

Cervantes

Dr. Lesbia Guerra

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With over 100,000 students enrolled in our education system from pre-school to university, we have a unique opportunity to shape the future, change the future, build the future.

WE MUST NOT LOSE THIS OPPORTUNITY! WE MUST NOT WASTE THIS OPPORTUNITY! WE MUST MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE! THE PUP WILL MAKE EDUCATION WORK FOR BELIZE!

Con más de 100.000 estudiantes inscritos en nuestro sistema educativo desde el preescolar hasta la universidad, tenemos una oportunidad única para dar forma al futuro, cambiar el futuro, construir el futuro. ¡NO DEBEMOS PERDER ESTA OPORTUNIDAD! ¡NO DEBEMOS DESPERDICIAR ESTA OPORTUNIDAD! ¡DEBEMOS HACER QUE LA EDUCACIÓN FUNCIONE PARA BELICE! ¡EL PUP HARÁ QUE LA EDUCACIÓN FUNCIONE PARA BELICE!

TODOS FI WIN! BLU GANAMOS! EVERYBODY

Dr. Julian Brown

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Thinking Outside the Box

By Gilroy Usher, Sr. “Some men see things as they are and say why. I dream things that never were and say why not.” – Robert Kennedy To create more necessary jobs for Belizeans to uplift themselves, the government needs to put more emphasis on expanding the productive sector. One of the areas of production that would save the country tremendous foreign exchange and result in the creation of hundreds of jobs for Belizeans is the manufacturing of plastic products.

The making of plastic products in Belize would result in minimum spoilage, because the products are not perishable.

There is an annual multi-million dollar market in Belize for a wide range of plastic products including bags, plates, and household containers of all sizes and shapes. There is also a huge demand locally for small bottles, gallon containers, and drums that are made from plastic. Mention must also be made of the huge local market for chairs, tables, curtains, and pipes that are made from plastic. How can a plastic factory be counterproductive to our development?

If the government is serious about empowering the people with steady jobs, they can sell shares locally and internationally to raise the necessary funds for the establishment of a plastic factory in the country. That would be similar to what they did to raise funds for the establishment of the National Gas Company (N.G.C.). Similarly the administration can pass the necessary legislations to secure the local market for plastic products that are made by Belizeans just as they have

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done to reserve the local LGP market exclusively for N.G.C. With the successful growth of the new company, the government can also sell its shares in the investment and use that liquidity to engineer the start of another needed company in the country. One other such necessary company in Belize is a sewing factory.

Mr. UDP where are the hundreds of millions of dollars from PetroCaribe and oil in our time of need? We continue to import millions of dollars in clothing including uniforms that can be produced locally, because that’s in the best interest of the Ministers and the importers.

Talking points that a plastic factory would not be a good investment for Belize because of the efforts to ban plastic products due to their pollution of the environment as non-degradable items are a far cry from reality. More than 1/4 of all the items in homes, stores, offices, factories, vehicles, and machines are made with the use of plastic in some form.

Like glass the use of plastic is here to stay. Men, however, will continue to use science to make plastic products more user-friendly to all forms of life and the environment.

Importers of plastic products in the Belize and the foreign countries that supply them with those items will always do everything possible to persuade the government not to support the opening of a plastic factory in the country. Their reasoning is obvious. A reputable and competitive local plastic firm will result in a major decline in profits for those persons who import such items and less jobs and revenue for the countries that export those products.

If Belize can offer tax breaks and other incentives to promote the opening of casinos and other gaming companies with all their negative consequences, we can offer similar incentives to promote the opening of a plastic factory in the Jewel.

Now, four decades after Independence, the UDP and their chosen importers continue to become multimillionaires by forcing our usage of imported products that can be made locally with good quality and at competitive prices.

We have to think outside the box. We must put an end to this selfish strangulation of our economy, job creation, and development for all Belizeans.

CHANGE IS IMPERATIVE…

By Rick Moguel Rosado The world as we know it has changed. We are witnessing the beginning of a new era and many of us are not aware of it. These changes were ushered in by a merciless conqueror, by a tyrant that does not respect conventional rules, by a sword sharper than that of Hernan Cortez, the killer man, lengthier than the days it took Spanish Bishop Diego De Landa Calderon to burn the Maya codices and idols, a foe so strong we cannot see it, the microscopic Covid-19. It has infected almost 23 million humans and killed almost a million and we still cannot contain it. It is shrewd, smart, grows exponentially and morphs rapidly thus outsmarting the fabrication of a vaccine. Covid-19 has been labelled a pandemic, the worldwide spread of a disease.

In 2009 we met another deadly biological foe, H1N1, Swine Flu, that killed more than 500,000 humans worldwide. In 1968, 4 million died from the Honk Kong flu. In 1918, 50 million died from the Spanish Flu worldwide, 675,000 in the USA alone. We were scarred then, we are more scarred now. With the advent of new communication technology everyone keeps tab on this tiny virus and more importantly, they are deeply aware of the devastating effect it has on economies and health systems. This opens the gate for political agendas to be introduced and ushers in more problems. So problematic is the handling of the pandemic and the dissemination of information that the USA withdrew from the World Health Organization.

In Belize, corruption, political skullduggery and then Covid-19 have wreaked havoc on an unsuspecting civilian population. Instead of our rulers being custodians of our constitution and people they have turned into executioners. The infection and death rate during the second wave went through the roof and our protocols are more showcase than effective. The voice of the common man, the most important

factor in a democracy, has been ignored. The voice of professionals and civil servants who tried to be true were terminated and replaced by those who could proficiently say yes. So now we have a house full of yes but no genuine answer on how to solve problems. Our leaders are more concerned on political mileage than in service to all our people. They are feeding the same ones that come to the trough consistently instead of expanding the base. The poor are becoming destitute and the middle class becoming poor. This is the biggest success they can boast off.

They turn fingers and blame border jumpers as the culprits of all that is wrong when they are the ones authorizing planes to land with infected people. Why are there border jumpers?

They are there because of failed government agriculture policies. Tomatoes are $5.50 a pound and of inferior quality because it is not the season. So called border jumpers dealing in illegal trade are filling in a void not being able to be filled by official trade policies and failed government agriculture policies. Official short-sightedness in agriculture has been amplified in this crisis era. Instead of border jumpers dealing in illegal trade it should be formalized so that it is safer and cheaper to acquire the basic food basket. These failures affect the people of Belize and are turning our middle class into the poor class and the poor are becoming destitute.

And as Belize slowly breathes to death, all our institutional problems that were swept under the rug are finally surfacing and they stare us straight in the eye. Failure magnified a million times just because a tiny unseen virus dared to infect 800 people in Belize and killed at least 10 and the numbers still rising.

Now is the time for the new reset and right things in Belize. Proven failure cannot and should not be given an opportunity to keep destroying our beautiful Belize. It took a small virus to expose the emperor with no clothes or ideas on how to solve our economic problems.

Change is imperative. Change is our only hope to have a Belize that works for everyone. All lives matter. Together we are stronger and better.

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THINK ABOUT IT

ELEVEN DEAD GOVERNMENT CANT HANDLE COVID The whole country of Belize is stuck in a rut. People are scared and don’t know what to do. Every day the conversation is morbid and about fear and hopelessness.

All the news is how many more persons have Covid and who has died. Nothing positive to offer Belizeans. On 22 August, Belize’s biggest hospital-Karl Heusner announced that its Covid Isolation Unit was full to capacity.

Yes, our little, tiny, Isolation Unit over full.

Then, shockingly the alternative is the Accident and Emergency Unit will now house Covid patients, of which each day more and more Belizeans are testing positive.

The government arrangements are completely unacceptable. Who get sick, no big thing. Who sick bad will die. There is no information of what vitamins can help strengthen.

What fruits and food to eat to help our body to fight back or stay strong.

There is gross neglect in testing Belizeans. Our people have to have obvious symptoms before they can be tested. This is ridiculous. By this time a person is on the way to dying. The hospital can’t or won’t test because of limited testing kits and because the testers are overwhelmed.

And yet, we should not be surprised. These things are happening for three main reasons. The government failed to prepare for this second wave of infections. And the reason is they have no money to put any measures in place. And thirdly they are just plain, goddamned incompetent.

No government, no group, no organization can be incompetent for twelve years and then suddenly become competently efficient.

It was incompetence, and inefficiency and massive corruption that caused the government to go broke in the first place.

And can you imagine the catastrophe if a hurricane should hit Belize.

COST OF LIVING GONE UP AGAIN The public officers who crunch the numbers and produce the statistics confirmed what we all already know. The cost of living gone up AGAIN. And Belize continues to import much more than we export thereby condemning us to a life of non-productivity and a life of poverty.

“Where there is no vision…”

TOP QUALITY HEALTH-AT LAST And speaking of vision. While the UDP is old and stale and lazy and thief and has no ideas or intention to make life better for our people; the PUP seems to be bubbling with new ideas and workable plans to make life better.

Earlier this August, it was an inspiring array of proposals to introduce more relevant education for all young people. Who cannot afford to pay will still be able to attend college and sixth form. This is bold, this is progress.

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The UDP immediately attacked this idea. They for twelve years had the opportunity to do better for our young people instead they preferred to give one single contractor- Imer Hernandez over 350 million dollars in non-priority projects. It only takes 20 million dollars to provide free education to all young people who cannot afford college and sixth form.

On Wednesday 26th of August, Johnny Briceno and his dynamic team of thinkers and doers unveiled a creative program to give Belizeans the top quality health care we all deserve.

One of the most shameful situations in Belize is the abysmal condition of our hospitals and the substandard health system due to neglect and lack of funding. It is almost a sin what Dean Barrow has done to sick people across this land. Rats were in children ward, and a raccoon in the female ward. Alligator in the morgue at KHMH was making a move on the dead bodies. And there is lack of medicines and run down equipment, not to mention a demoralized staff. They even fired doctors during the Covid pandemic.

And worse, the National Health Insurance which the PUP started for Southside Belize City and down southern Belize was neglected and actually reduced. Well, Johnny has made a sacred pledge to make this a national benefit to all the needy people of Belize.

Yes man. This is the way to go.

CONCENTRATION CAMP Did we hear correctly? The government will build a concentration type camp back of Mountain Pine Ridge in Cayo, to be run by the BDF as a quarantine facility.

The same BDF which has been raping female soldiers?

Covid patients are not Nazi prisoners. They are sick persons and in need of delicate medical care. Which nurses and doctors want to work in an isolated camp with rapists and sex molesters monitoring them and, with Guatemalan bandits prowling the perimeters?

There is a quarantine building at the ITVET building in Corozal. One at Orange Walk.

They are grossly unsatisfactory Universities with half working toilets and no privacy.

Maybe fifty thousand dollars each can make them satisfactory.

Why will government spend millions of dollars for a concentration type facilities back a Mountain Pine Ridge? It must be some overseas Covid loan that they are planning to thief why they don’t want to have a decent building in each district.

Crazy.

BRIBERY The energetic Police Commissioner who is featured nightly on all television stations and twice on Mondays, suggested he will ask his Minister to change the law on bribery to impose stiffer penalties on police. This kneejerk reaction arose because a police accepted a bribe and another collected two hundred for extortion.

Lo and behold, the Minister changed the Covid Emergency law to do just that—interfere with the Criminal Code because a couple of crooked police took bribes.

You want to appear to be doing something Mr. Minister? Rush through a law that any crooked UDP politicians who is bribing voters will go to jail.

And by the way have you seen the commercial coming to a cable channel on your home TV. The remake of Ali Baba and His Thirty Thieves; HBO presents Ali Barrow and His Representathieves. And on Wednesday Lick Butt and Make Graves, the new series “Robin Hood turns to “The Robbing Hoodlum”.

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PUP Standard Bearers

Appealing to their Constituents Excerpts of FB Posts and other

Orlando Habet, Cayo Northeast Whipping the UDP

I was honored to be on Vibes Media’s “The Whip” Talk Show. Thank you Vaughn and Omar for helping me bring to light issues we are facing in Cayo Northeast. In bringing awareness to challenges, we also pose better solutions.

While the UDP attempt to use their pawns and cronies like The Three Musketeers Alfonso Cruz, Elvin Penner and Mike Juan, to illegally register and transfer voters, we will object and win these in court, and we will stop them in their tracks.

Remember, Elvin Penner is a sellout who embarrassed Belizeans when he sold passports and Belizean citizenship to a criminal in Korean jail, Kim Won Hong.

Alfonso Cruz, like the “good boy” that he is, helped Penner sign those passports.

While the masses compromise themselves for a meagre $10 per year for 5 years to illegally transfer their vote, these 3 have amassed unimaginable wealth.

John August controls the Musketeers and has them registering voters at his mom’s house on #86 Burns Avenue. Their little game won’t last long.

As we continue to expose them, the more we gain people’s confidence and support. When we form the new government, we will restructure the Elections and Boundaries Commission to uphold the Representation of the People’s Act as an independent agency. We will purge the list and have redistricting. We will advocate for fair and equitable representation in all elections going forward. We will ensure a just society. #planBelize #planificarBelize #VoteBLU Hon. Kareem Musa, Caribbean Shores

I was proud to witness and be a part of the launch of the #planBelize health policy formulated with the input of the professionals and placing people at the center of the benefits. #planBelize #BLU #EverybodyFiWin #TimeToRiseThe talent is here - homegrown and world-class. Ten years ago Belizean artist, Mr. Program delivered a timeless classic “See I Rise”. Last year the #Shores musician dropped this equally brilliant remake. Respect and thanks Mr. Program and to all our Belizean artists who remain committed to taking their music and country to the #NextLevel #TeamKareem #TimetoRise #Blu #BluShores #Belize #Vote2020 Oscar Mira, Belmopan There is still time to register: Hello Belmopan! Have you registered to vote? Do it today, or call us at 6709555 for information or help.

••• Hola Belmopan ¿Te has registrado para votar? Hágalo hoy o llámenos al 670-9555 para obtener información

o ayuda.

We heard the news that five BDF Soldiers including a BDF Doctor, tested positive for COVID 19. The Belize Defence Force holds a special place in my heart. I am saddened by the news and urge the BDF to do all in its power to support these Soldiers in these trying times. I express my solidarity with the Soldiers and wish each and every one of them a speedy recovery. Stay safe my brothers and sisters.

Stay safe. Shoulder to Shoulder! …Ret. Maj. Oscar Mira It is in our hands to control, contain and defeat this virus if we follow simple but effective measures. Avoid unnecessary travel. Practice social distancing. Wash hands regularly with soap and water. Use hand sanitizer if soap is not available.

And of course, wear your mask but wear it properly. Let’s all do our part and support our authorities in doing theirs. Be safe and be well.

Prosperity and Security for All! #TeamMira #PlanBelize #Blu Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes, Orange Walk North The Trial Farm Village Council will like to thank Mr Ramon “Monchi” Cervantes for providing the backhoe to deal with some drain cleaning. Due to this bad weather approaching the Village Council saw the need to continue with the cleaning of this drains before heavy rain comes.

We also big up Mr Oscar Cornel Sr. for always being there assisting us in everything. Thank you Mr Ramon ‘Monchi’ Cervantes!!!As we may know by now, COVID-19 cases in the Orange Walk District have been increasing. We want to take the time out to thank all our frontline workers who risk their lives for others! We urge that you protect yourself and loved ones by: 1. Washing your hands 2. Practicing social distancing 3. Wearing a mask 4. Seeking medical advice at 0-800-MOH-CARE (0-800-664-2273) hotline.

Together we are strong! Together we fight! Together we can beat it!

Kevin Bernard, Orange Walk East During this week, I had a very good discussion with 2 youth activists that are engaged in sports.

These young people have the love of the sport of football, but still looking out for the benefit of other youths who are involve in other sport discipline. I am very much hopeful of the future, we do have a lot of youths in OW East that yearn for true representation and committed leadership. I commit to the youths that I will be their voice and I will work hard to ensure they too are part of our decision making as we Unite and Move OW East Forward.

SEPTEMBER CELEBRATIONS I can definitely guarantee that this September there will be NO Parade and No Block Party. All events will be celebrated virtually for the safety of our wider citizenry. Let’s be responsible and fight this pandemic together. Please follow all protocols and please let’s stop the discrimination and hate towards our fellow Belizeans. COVID19 knows no boundaries, neither race, religion nor creed.

So I implore on all Belizeans countrywide, to brace this pandemic by doing what is right. Stop the contrabanding, Obey the law, and the rules and regulations.

Let’s protect each other.

Jorge ‘Milin’ Espat, Cayo West

¡TU VOTO TIENE PODER! The future of our children depends on the decisions we make today; we shape Continued on page 22

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Continued from page 21 and define that future!

For the last 12 years, we have seen rising wealth inequalities which has resulted in more poverty and lack of opportunities for many deserving children. No one should ever have to beg a minister for a scholarship or access to the basic needs a child demands. That shouldn’t be! Tackling these inequalities will be our core business when the PUP forms your government!

Every child is deserving of quality education and a fair opportunity to become a productive and successful member of our society! We will fight for a fair society with equal opportunities! We will fight for a better future! We will fight for Education!

We have listened, We Will DELIVER! TODOS GANAMOS! Visit the party’s website to view our Policy paper on Education: https://planbelize.bz/making-education-work-for-belize/ Get registered to vote. YOU HAVE THE POWER TO CHANGE! DO NOT BE AFRAID! #RISE #VOTE #WIN Se aproximan las elecciones generales, un momento decisivo y crítico para Belize. Cayo Oeste, una de las áreas más abandonadas aun así teniendo un Ministro con el ministerio más fuerte en economía. Pero sí, Cayo Oeste tiene mucho potencial, solo falta tener un buen representante que nos brinde la representación necesaria para abogar por un mejoramiento.

Please remain safe. Follow the recommendations given by health authorities and protect your family and Community. We are optimistic about a brighter day for Belize. God bless you all!

Hon. Francis Fonseca, Freetown

The Work Continues....

The Belize City Council along with Freetown Area Representative Francis Fonseca doing some rehabilitation work on streets in Belama.// The Elected PUP Area Representatives DO NOT have access to Land, Education assistance, Health assistance, Pantry and Boost assistance, Unemployment assistance, Food assistance, Housing assistance or Infrastructure Development assistance to provide for the people and communities that they represent and were duly elected to serve.

BUT UNELECTED UDP STANDARD BEARERS have full access to and authority over Land and taxpayers money to use in their campaigns. Illegally and unethically they go around from house to house offering voters land and government $ to be deposited into your personal bank account. THIS CORRUPTION MUST END! REJECT THE UDP! VOTE THEM OUT! Michel Chebat, Cayo North

With almost 800 act i v e COVID cases our country is facing possibly the worst health and economic crisis of our history. This is not the time to discriminate against anyone as no one chose to become ill. This is the time to support each other and to take personal responsibility for our safety, for the safety of our families and communities.

Please observe the established protocols of washing your hands, wearing your mask, social distancing, if you are feeling ill don’t go to work and contact your health centre, follow all directives from the health officials. We are all in this together and we must all work together to defeat this virus!!!

Oscar Arnold, Collet

Early Saturday morning grind, on the ground Maskall St. residents have been requesting work to be done on their street for over 13 years.

I am now delivering on a pledge I made to the residents a couple months ago—a much needed upgrade and love for the residents of the area.

Uplifting Collet!!

My wonderful people of Collet as the number for Covid-19 continues to rise

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please adhere to the rules wear your mask wash hands regularly maintain social distancing stay at home and most of all pray to the good Lord for protection for our families and our country Belize. Be safe my people. #teampolo#wework#PUPCOLLET2020 Candice Pitts, Mesopotamia

While others are talking and deceiving, our team is out walking and actually working!

We continue checking-up on residents and checking-in at all the schools in Mesopotamia.

Our candidate is a servant-leader who truly Cares.#TeamCandicePitts is a whole vibe!

Since schools remain close, our team was out distributing some school bags to children in Mesopotamia with supplies that will aid with their homeschooling and their psycho-social development.

We will continue to reach out to our families and their children and help them, albeit with our limited resources, to maneuver this extremely challenging time in our country’s history. #mesopotamia #reachingoutwithLove #CandicePitts #mesopotamiaschoice2020 Sunday: Since we are unable to attend our places of worship as per usual, we are extending well-wishes to All: We especially pray for all those families affected by COVID-19, poverty, hunger, unemployment, violence, abuse, corruption in government.

We pray for those who are grieving and those who are suffering silently.

We pray for the sick and the dying, the elderly, the youth, our women and children, our men, all those in physical and immaterial prisons, and all those who need God’s guidance. May God grant us wisdom, comfort and healing, and the peace that surpasses our human understanding.

We pray for justice in our country and sincere freedom fighters.

We pray for better leaders with empathy and compassion for God’s people.

We pray that those who have will give, until we can bridge that ever-widening gap between those who have and those who do not.

We pray for a country that will acknowledge the preeminence of God, where we will value each other’s humanity, and where we can live with dignity, happiness, and with access to our human necessities.

We pray we may always remember the golden rule to love each other as God loves us. #BlessedSunday Encouraging everyone to wear their masks and to follow the other health protocols to fight against the spread of COVID-19.

David J. Castillo, Corozal North Por doce años el UDP ha abandonado a Corozal y la área de Corozal Norte. Por doce años la gente de Corozal han sufrido abajo este gobierno. Ya es tiempo para un cambio! Ya es tiempo para sacar el UDP! Ya es tiempo de votar para el PUP!Change is coming with David Jesus Castillo! #daveforcorozalnorth #planbelize #changeiscomming

Dolores Balderamos García, Belize Rural Central

Thanks once more to the business community collaborating with Dolores and Chairman Bernardo !! We are doing major and desperately needed repair on Continued on page 23

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Continued from page 22 Mamie Road and Arizona Road. Huge craters were on Mamie Road. And terrible condition on Arizona Road. Working for the Ladyville and BRC Community!!

Photos show Ms. D, Bernardo, and Councillor Ayla Franklin and her Mom. These are very difficult times indeed, and our wellbeing and good health must come first. I encourage everyone to stay safe by limiting our socializing, wearing our masks properly, and washing/sanitizing our hands regularly!! We all have to do our part to reduce and then defeat the virus. Love, prayers and best wishes to all.

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Alex Balona, Cayo Central

Allan Pollard, Queen’s Square

WE THE PEOPLE DONE MEKUP WE MIND | WE WAH VOTE PUP THIS TIME | THE UDP THEM HAVE TO GO!! #VOTEALEXBALONA | #BLU2020 The theme for this year’s International Youth Day is “Youth Engagement for Global Action” and it’s my dream to see the youths that I represent recognized for meaningful contributions to our society. Therefore undoubtedly I encourage all youths to inspire and be inspired in all that you do!

We are the future and the future is ours! Let’s continue to set the pace and elevate ourselves to the standards required in order to make a change Everyday the numbers of positive Covid-19 cases in Belize are increasing.

Unfortunately, our senior citizens are at the greatest risk during this global pandemic. Here’s a special recognition to all the elderly residents of Queen Square.

I pray that you all remain safe and healthy during this uncertain time.

I urge everyone to protect our golden citizens by wearing your masks properly in order to help prevent the continued community spread that we are facing. #planBelize #AllanPollardforQueenSquare #ProtecttheElderly #WearyourMasksProperly

Hon. Mike Espat, Toledo East

Louis Zabaneh, Dangriga

Hon. Rodwell Ferguson, Stann Creek West

Message from Hope Creek: Da what with dis talking bout if u da noh Garifuna u noh wa be area rep da Dangriga? So da y when 19th of November we want all kinda culture da Dangriga fi spend money? To be an area rep for the Dangriga Constituency has nothing to do with ethnicity/ culture. We have a Creole Mayor in Dangriga right now, I am sure. GARIFUNA, CREOLE, MESTIZO, CHINEY, MAYAS ETC VOTED FOR HIM. Some of the same people who are culturally biased voted for the Mayor.

For over a year now I told the area rep his time to serve was coming to an end because he failed.

Your time is up. It’s time for you to go. Doc Zab will be the next area Representative for DANGRIGA SARAWEE N HOPE CREEK when the elections r called. Oh by the way in the House of Representatives we can see the Garifuna culture male outfit worn by our next to be area rep Dr Louis Zabaneh. He represents us well.

TOGETHER WE CHANGE. VOTE Dr. Louis Zabaneh when elections are called True Leadership.

Everybody must win.

Rt. Hon. Said Musa, Fort George

Despite the uncertainty of schools reopening due to the Covid-19 pandemic, the Fort George constituency carried through with a commitment towards helping with Back to School efforts. In addition to the daily rounds and reaching out to Fort George residents, they selected lucky winners for four weeks to receive a Back to School assistance package. All that was needed as to follow the instructions. Have a great day! Winners can be found on the Fort George Pup Facebook page.

Congrats to our Back to School Raffle winners for the several weeks: Angel Allen | Carilee Faber | Nicole Avilez | Mike Stands Alone (Michael Cus) Estrada Breezy Monique | Joana Polanco | Shanny Shanz Mossiah | Jaqueline Trejo Ms. Melany Young | Ms. Recilia Duce Stay tuned for more activities in the days ahead.

Remember to wash your hands, practice social distancing, and stay safe!

Message from Mullins River Village: Wanna say a heartfelt thank you to the area rep Mr. Rodwell Ferguson and to the tractor driver he sent to cut the grass at Mullins River village. He did an exceptional job in his two days compared to when Ministry of Works goes in for almost a week and doesn’t complete the task From a humble and thankful village council member to you sir keep up the good work u do for your pple.// The Government has highjacked the food pantry and boost program and using it for political advancement It’s up to you the people you never see them around for the last 12 years. It is justly yours take it, it is your tax money. It’s up to you if you want them to run the affairs of this country for the next 5 years. Look around your community and see what they have done for the last 12 years with all the money the PM talks about from Oil and Petro Caribe funds.

Residents of Stann Creek West this Covid-19 is very serious. Avoid contact with outsider politicians who is a potential carrier because they move from house to house. I am a people’s person and I am always in your village. I visited 90 percent of your homes before the restrictions. When the election is announced, I will get out my manifesto to you. There are those politicians who never did their homework now they are playing catch up. Some of them the people never saw before, same when they get into Government they will forget that you elected them to serve you.

Ed. Note: Please be mindful that these are excerpts. For other pictures, comment, releases, and posts of our PUP leaders visit, LIKE and FOLLOW their FB profiles and pages. Also be a fan of the Whip Show at 7:15 on Vibes FBLive, Cable, and Radio.

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2020

PUP Councils braving COVID in spite of the broke no-help incompetent UDP

Corozal Town Council:

CTC launches e-Public Consultation for tourism-based project in Corozal Town Our beautiful town must prepare to overcome the COVID19 pandemic and move forward. In doing so, we must begin to plan and find practical and responsible ways of continuing the development of Corozal Town to create economic opportunities for our residents. In this vein, the Corozal Town Council is considering entering into a formal understanding with Maximum Water Project developers, Belizean investors Marwin Humes and Theodore Pacheco, who want to bring their idea of a world-class inflatable, eco-friendly Water Park to our Corozal Bay. Since the developer’s initial approach in June, CTC has insisted that the project proposal first undergoes the scrutiny of health, environment and other relevant authorities. CTC also values the participation of the community and has held at least three consultation sessions with local conservation and tour-

ism-related groups and individuals, and also a representative of the neighbourhood watch committee for the immediate area where the project is proposed.

Our next step is to seek feedback from the public regarding this project that promises to attract greater local and international tourism to our town, create much-needed job opportunities, while conserving the beauty of our environment in its natural state.

We have always believed that one of our most precious resources is the Bay and that we must find ways of enabling opportunities and development in a sustainable manner.

We believe Corozal Town will bounce back from the current state of affairs, and when we do, with the support of the business community and our residents, we will continue to move forward.

We invite you to participate by viewing this comprehensively informative video, and submit comments or questions to ctcczldevelopment@gmail.com.

- The Corozal Town Council (2018-2021)

Orange Walk Town Council: “The Work Continues.”

Belize City Council, Always ‘Bout the People Anti-Covid Sanitation In an effort to mitigate risks associated with Covid-19, the Belize City Council has found it necessary to sanitize the Traffic Department office to reduce exposure to our employees and our residents. Let’s all continue do our part to flatten the curve by following those preventive guidelines outlined by the health authorities! #belizecitycouncil #flattenthecurve #safetymeasures #maskup

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE REGISTRATION RULES, CAP. (Second Schedule)

30 AUG

2020

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ELECTION AND BOUNDARIES List of Objections ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION R.P.R.R. 36 (4)

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE REGISTRATION RULES, CAP. 9 (Second Schedule)

Registration Office Orange Walk Central Electoral Division 83 Otro Benque Rd. Orange Walk Town LIST OF OBJECTIONS I, ENIEDA VARGAS, Registering Officer for the ORANGE WALK CENTRAL ELECTORAL DIVISION hereby give notice that the followinglist of objections were received by me in accordance with Rule 36 (2) of the Representation of the People Registration Rules:-

Name and Addresses of Persons Objected To

Name and Address of Objector

Grounds of Objections

POLLING AREA NO. 53 ACOSTA, Aurelio Alberto 90 San Andres St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not reside at the given address

BLANCO, Adnair Adan San Pedro St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

Un año de gobierno de Bukele en El Salvador:

LIST OF OB I, ENIEDA VARGAS, Registering Officer for the ORANGE WALK C inglist of objections were received by me in accordance with Rule 3

Name and Addresses of Persons Objected To

Name and Address of Objector

Grounds of Objections

CAL, YalissaYamila Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the POLLING AREA NO. 53 San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town ACOSTA, Aurelio Alberto Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not reside at the 90 San Andres St. 17 Nargusta St. given address COBB, Brian Allan Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town BLANCO, Adnair Adan Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the San Pedro St. 17 Nargusta St. given address CRUZ, Natalie Nadine Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not reside at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town BLANCO, Ian Uziel Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the San Pedro St. 17 Nargusta St. given address DIAZ, Paul Henry Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town CAL, Christian Miguel Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the 15 Belize St. 17 Nargusta St. given address GARCIA, Enadi Elanie Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town 5 mls San EstevanRd. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town CARRILLO, Rogelio Eulalio Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the San Ignacio St. 17 Nargusta St. given address MEJIA, Mario Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town Petville 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town CONSTANZA, Reina Francisca Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the 24 West San Lorenzo Rd. 17 Nargusta St. given address MENDOZA, Carciano Rey Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town 5 mls San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town GONGORA, Antonio Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the Oleander St. 17 Nargusta St. given address PEREZ, Consuela Carmelita Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town Petville 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town GONGORA, Maria Luisa Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the Oleander St. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town PEREZ, Idelfonso Karim Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the Petville 17 Nargusta St. given address HOIL, Gilbert Emisael Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not reside at the Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town 47 San Narciso St. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town UK, Briani Ariani Eugenia Marina Novelo Does not live at the San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address MALIC, Karina Loreni Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town 37 Corozal St. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town TAKE NOTICE that the Revising Officer will hear the above case on 31st August, 2020 at 9:00a.m. at Magistrate Court, Orange Walk Town.

MELGAR, Adair Keeran Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the San Felipe St. th 17 Nargusta St. given address DATED this 26 day of AUGUST, 2020 Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town

BLANCO, Ian Uziel San Pedro St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

CAL, Christian Miguel 15 Belize St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

CARRILLO, Rogelio Eulalio San Ignacio St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

CONSTANZA, Reina Francisca 24 West San Lorenzo Rd. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

She does not live at the given address

GONGORA, Antonio Oleander St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

GONGORA, Maria Luisa Oleander St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

She does not live at the given address

HOIL, Gilbert Emisael 47 San Narciso St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not reside at the given address

MALIC, Karina Loreni 37 Corozal St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

She does not live at the given address

MELGAR, Adair Keeran San Felipe St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

MENJIVAR, Brenda Cristina 7 San Martin St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

She does not live at the given address

MENJIVAR, Juan Silvestre 7 San Martin St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

REPRESENTATION OF THE PEOPLE REGISTRATION RULES, CAP. 9 NOVELO, Owen Nassir Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the (Second Schedule) 18 Mahogany St. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town

Registration Office Orange Walk East ElecPOLLING AREA NO. 61 toral Division 1A Santa Ana St. CAL, YalissaYamila Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the Orange Walk Town San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk District Orange Walk Town LIST OF OBJECTIONS I, PAULA DAWSON, Registering Officer for the ORANGE WALK EAST ELECTORAL DIVISION COBB, Brian Allan Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the hereby give notice that the following list of objections were received by me in accordance with San EstevanVge. 17 Nargusta St. given address Rule 36Walk (2) ofDistrict the Representation of the People Registration Rules:Orange Orange Walk Town

He does not live at the given address

BUSTILLOS, Aveleni Bliss Dr. Orange Walk Town

POLLING AREA NO. 60 Sylvia Gillett Does not reside at given address 10 Little England Orange Walk Town

BUSTILLOS, Lucellie Bliss Dr. Orange Walk Town

Sylvia Gillett 10 Little England Orange Walk Town

POLLING AREA NO. 54 NOVELO, Owen Nassir 18 Mahogany St. Orange Walk Town

Eugenia Marina Novelo 17 Nargusta St. Orange Walk Town POLLING AREA NO. 61

MENJIVAR, Brenda Cristina Eugenia Marina Novelo She does not live at the Signed: 7 San Martin St. 17 Nargusta St. given address ENIEDA VARGAS Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town REGISTERING OFFICER I Orange Walk Central Electoral Division MENJIVAR, Juan Silvestre Eugenia Marina Novelo He does not live at the 7 San Martin St. 17 Nargusta St. given address Orange Walk Town Orange Walk Town ELECTIONS AND BOUNDARIES COMMISSION R.P.R.R. 36 (4) POLLING AREA NO. 54

Name Addresses CRUZ,and Natalie Nadine of person Objected To

Name and Address of Novelo Grounds She of does not reside at the Eugenia Marina Objectors Objections

Does not reside at given address

Continued on page 26

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2020

Editor’s Choice: International

(Daniel Tejada, foto)

Chetumal: Pagan a empresas proveedoras del sur adeudos atrasados

Por Ángel Castilla 24 de agosto - Las empresas del sur de Quintana Roo recibieron pagos atrasados por proveeduría por parte del Estado, para cubrir el adeudo de aproximadamente 300 millones de pesos que mantiene el gobierno estatal con proveedores locales.

El presidente de la Canaco-Servytur Chetumal-Tulum, informó que desde la semana pasada, la Secretaría de Finanzas y Planeación (Sefiplan) estatal empezó con el pago a proveedores de papelerías, material de oficina, combustible, mantenimiento automotriz y alimentos.

“Después de varias semanas de negociaciones, Yohanet Torres Muñoz, titular de la Sefiplan, vemos una luz en este túnel de la maltratada economía que nos ha mantenido agobiados”.

Expresó que… con los pagos de la semana pasada, la cuenta empieza a disminuir.

Exhortó a la ciudadanía a no confiarse ante la aparente disminución en el número de contagios por el coronavirus, porque fácilmente puede registrar rebrotes si no se mantiene de una forma estricta los protocolos sanitarios.. (Lea más en sipse.com)

En una bodega rentada, Axel López termina de ensamblar los 5 hospitales La Prensa.hn 24 de agosto - En una bodega alquilada en Turquía y no propiamente en una fábrica especializada se están terminando de ensamblar apuradamente cinco de los siete hospitales móviles comprados por el Gobierno de Honduras en 47.4 millones de dólares, 1,174 millones de lempiras, un representante de Elmed Medical System y Hospitales Móviles.com.

La unidad de Datos e Investigación de LA PRENSA confirmó que a instancias de López la proveedora Vertisa Cevre Teknolojileri y Nuris Prefabrik alquilaron un inmueble en las afueras de Ankara para terminar de montar los cinco módulos hospitalarios. Se trata de cuatro clínicas de triaje de 51 camas destinadas a La Ceiba, Juticalpa, Santa Rosa de Copán y Danlí, y un quinto módulo asistencial de 91 camas que se instalará en Choluteca.

La semana anterior, el titular del Poder Ejecutivo aseguró que dos de los cinco hospitales (el de Choluteca y Santa Rosa de Copán) partieron de Turquía el martes 18 de agosto; sin embargo… (Lea más en laprensa.hn)

Disminuye velocidad de contagios de Covid-19 en Quintana Roo

26 de agosto, Q. Roo – Disminuye velocidad de contagios de Covid-19, se reporta el nivel más bajo desde que inició la pandemia en el estado, ubicándose en 0.5 para la zona norte y en 0.9 para la zona sur, esto es el número de personas que puede contagiar un paciente que ha dado positivo a la prueba.

De acuerdo al reporte técnico que emite diariamente la Secretaria de Salud de Quintana Roo, este día fueron 46 nuevos casos positivos, 10 defunciones y se logró la cifra récord de 425 personas recuperadas en un día.

Con este descenso en la velocidad de contagios, la entidad está en vías de migrar del semáforo epidemiológico estatal de naranja a amarillo; además, el gobierno del Estado determinó reanudar el deporte y el ejercicio en espacios públicos, pero no es una reactivación total, será una apertura por etapas.

De los 46 contagios nuevos reportados este martes, 29 fueron en Cancún, nueve en Lázaro Cárdenas, tres en cada municipio de Othón P. Blanco y Solidaridad, así como uno en Felipe Carrillo Puerto y otro en Tulúm. (Lea más en 24horasqroo.mx)

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Ministry keen to push fish and poultry products for export

Barbados - The Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security is keen on putting the necessary measures in place to give farmers and those involved in fisheries an opportunity to have their fish and poultry products exported.

Minister of Agriculture and Food Security, Indar Weir, shared this yesterday, after a two-hour tour of Veterinary Services and the Animal Nutrition Unit. Those present on tour included the Minister in the Ministry of Agriculture and Food Security, Peter Phillips; Acting Permanent Secretary (PS), Terry Bascombe; acting Deputy PS, Robert Folkes; and acting Chief Agricultural Officer, Leslie Brereton.

“We are now at the point where we are going to go back to the sanitary and phytosanitary measures, which will put Barbados where it really ought to have been before, in terms of our ability to trade and export poultry products and fish and also develop agro processing….

Read more at barbadostoday.bb)

A prototype of Prof. Hossam Haick's COVID-19 breath test and diagram. (courtesy of Hossam Haick)

Just breathe: Israeli-made Nano COVID breath test spots every carrier in trial

By Nathan Jeffay 21 August 2020 - Developer says his breath test eliminates lab processing, and also the need for anyone to touch patients or samples; clinical trial results have been peerreviewed An Israeli COVID-19 breath test has correctly identified all positive patients in a clinical trial in Wuhan, China, according to a newly peer-reviewed study.

The device uses nanotechnology to identify compounds from the lung that are present in the breath of coronavirus patients, the Developer of the Technion-Israel Institute of Technology told us on Friday.

He said that it is fully automatic, eliminating the need for anyone to come in to contact with the patient to handle their sample, which is good for efficiency and for hygiene. “You just blow into the device, which is the size of a smartphone, for 2 to 3 seconds, from a distance of 2 centimeters away,” he said. “There are no accessories, it requires no lab processing, and it gives results within 30 seconds of blowing.”

The current prototypes of the device are half-held, but Haick said that the final product will require no touch, meaning that the “danger of cross-contamination is very low.”

The technology is being developed for the market by the company Nanose Medical, where Haick serves as chief technology officer, and he predicted tests will cost around $2 to $3 per person. The clinical trial examined 140 people, 49 of them confirmed coronavirus patients. It identified all carriers as coronavirus positive, but erred with the results of seven healthy people, reporting them to be positive.

Regular swab tests also throw up some false positives, but it’s not known exactly how many, as people often assume their result is correct and they are asymptomatic. Doctors are less concerned about false positives, which can cause inconvenience by needlessly worrying and quarantining people, than false negatives that can lead people to assume wrongly they are virus-free and spread the coronavirus.

Haick said that in his design, he emphasized accurate assessment of people who are sick, but with respiratory conditions other than coronavirus.

“Think about winter time, when people will have lots of conditions, such as influenza and colds, that make them feel sick but aren’t COVID-19, and it’s very important we can differentiate between them correctly,” he commented. “If everything goes well with further clinical studies, I hope it will be available and regulated within six months,” he said. (Read more at timesofisrael.com)

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