Today the region's Health Ministers wrapped up the meeting of the health sector of Central America and the Dominican Republic. They came up with a series of points to chart their commitment to improve health care in the region. These include increasing access to anti-retroviral for HIV/Aids patients, improving the standards of water and sanitation and investing further in food and nutrition. They also expressed the region's willingness to assist disaster relief efforts in the U.S. in the aftermath of Katrina.
While those are multi-lateral initiatives, in the bi-lateral sphere, Belize signed on to an agreement where Honduran nationals who are in the country for business or tourism related reasons are entitled to free health care in the country's public health institutions. The same applies to Belizeans in Honduras. Minister of Health Vildo Marin explained how it will work.
Vildo Marin, Minister of Health
"Belizeans residing in Honduras, and those residing in Belize, and nationals of either parties who remain in the territory of the other party for a limited time for official duties, work related duties, tourism, or in transit to other countries may receive medical attention or treatment in hospitals situated in the territory of either party."
At the end of today's meeting the presidency of RESCCAD was handed over from Belize to Guatemala.
