The Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA) has completed a three-day capacity building mission in Belize, delivering advanced food safety training, surveillance system upgrades and strategic health security planning in collaboration with the country’s Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW).
The mission, conducted from April 13 to 15, 2026, was led by CARPHA Executive Director Dr. Lisa Indar and a five-member delegation. Among the most tangible outcomes of the visit was the handover of ten data-entry tablets to the MOHW, preloaded with several of CARPHA’s regional surveillance tools — including the Tourism and Health Information System (THiS), Mass Gathering Surveillance System (MGSS), Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System (CVSS), Regional Integrated Early Warning Surveillance System (RIEWSS), and DHIS2. The tablets were received by MOHW Chief Executive Officer Dr. Julio Sabido and Director of Health Services Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa, and will be distributed across various districts to support real-time surveillance, data collection and laboratory reporting.
Speaking at the opening ceremony of the Advanced Food Safety Training, Dr. Indar underscored the significance of the initiative. “Food safety is crucial and what is important, is that food is safe for consumption. This is the work CARPHA is doing, equipping persons with the necessary knowledge to ensure food safety,” she said.
Dr. Laura Friesen, Deputy Director of Health Services at the MOHW, welcomed the mission, noting that Belize’s heavy reliance on tourism makes food safety a matter of national importance. “The Advanced Food Safety Training will empower our food safety providers and the Ministry of Health staff to ensure that the food that is consumed and sold in public places is safe for the local population and visitors,” she said.
The Advanced Food Safety Training and International Certification component of the mission brought together Public Health Inspectors and representatives from eight hospitality and food service establishments, including Grand Resort, Ramada Princess Hotel, Caribbean Beach Cabanas, the Point at Placencia, Cayo Espanto, Turtle Inn, Blancaneaux Resort Hotel and Blue Marlin Resort. A total of 31 participants completed the training and examinations, with successful candidates set to receive internationally recognised certification valid for five years.
The rollout of the Caribbean Vessel Surveillance System (CVSS) was also completed during the mission, with cross-sector stakeholders from health, tourism, immigration, customs and port health engaging in detailed discussions on cruise ship surveillance pathways. A live on-board inspection of Belize’s cruise ship clearance process was conducted, and 14 participants received specialised maritime health surveillance training. The system is expected to reduce cruise clearance times while enabling faster notification of public health threats.
Capacity building sessions on the Mass Gathering Surveillance System were also facilitated with MOHW surveillance teams in preparation for large-scale national events, including the upcoming National Agriculture and Trade Show.
High-level advocacy meetings were held with senior officials from the MOHW, the Ministry of Tourism, Youth, Sports and Diaspora Relations, and the Belize Tourism Board, focusing on strengthening intersectoral collaboration and health security ahead of anticipated mass gatherings.
Belize has been a participant in CARPHA’s Tourism and Health Programme (THP) since 2016, when it was among the first six member states to officially launch the programme. The latest mission was funded through CARPHA’s Pandemic Fund Project — Reducing the Public Health Impact of Pandemics in the Caribbean through Prevention, Preparedness, and Response — which runs from 2024 to 2026 with the Inter-American Development Bank (IDB) serving as the implementing entity.