BELIZE, CITY, (PAHO) – The Pan American Health Organization/World Health Organization (PAHO/WHO), in collaboration with the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MoHW), has launched a new project aimed at improving diabetes care in Belize. Funded by the World Diabetes Foundation (WDF), this initiative focuses on enhancing the care and management of diabetes through the integration of diabetes services into primary healthcare across Belize.

As part of the Diabetes Care Integration Project, the PAHO/WHO and the MoHW have visited both rural and urban health centers to evaluate current practices and determine how diabetes care can be better integrated into everyday healthcare services. The site visits allowed the team to see firsthand how local health centers are managing diabetes care, gather insights into successful practices, and identify gaps in services and care for strengthening across the country.

In addition to the site visits, a comprehensive diabetes care workshop was held, bringing together over 40 healthcare professionals, including pharmacists, primary care coordinators, medical coordinators, administrators, and internists, among others. The workshop focused on strengthening local expertise in diabetes care and featured discussions on the Global Diabetes Pact, an international initiative to improve diabetes care. Participants also worked on creating a practical roadmap for implementing a diabetes clinical pathway tailored to Belize’s healthcare system.

The goal was to improve healthcare delivery for people living with type 2 diabetes and other non-communicable diseases (NCDs). By training healthcare workers and enhancing local health systems, the training initiative aimed to reduce the impact of diabetes, prevent complications, and improve the overall health outcomes for patients.

Through this collaboration, the PAHO/WHO, WDF, and MoHW are working to make improvements to the quality of life for people with diabetes in Belize. By integrating  diabetes management into primary healthcare, this will help ensure that communities have better access to effective care and prevention strategies.

The PAHO/WHO remains committed to supporting Belize in its efforts to strengthen its healthcare system and provide sustainable, long-term solutions to diabetes.