Medical Practitioners and Nurses wishing to visit Belize on a temporary basis as part of Medical Missions must receive approval from the Medical Council of Belize and the Nursing Council of Belize prior to arrival in the country.
The services offered should be services considered as priorities by the country. The medical practice will be regulated in accordance with the Laws of Belize that govern the practice of medicine.
1. The Coordinator/Team Leader of the Mission must submit in writing, at least 4 months in advance, the request to visit Belize to the Regional Health Manager of the health region of interest and copied to the Director of Health Services, Ministry of Health.
The request should include the following:
a. The type of services to be provided, place and timeframe
b. The information on the composition of the team intending to visit Belize including number, copy of credentials (diplomas and current licenses) of only Doctors, Nurses and Dentists.
c. The information of medical supplies (what medications, quantity and also manufacture and expiration dates) and equipment being brought into the country for either donation, to be used and/or returned after visit. For duty exemption the Ministry of Finance has requested that the information on supplies (including medications and equipment) to be brought into the country and requesting duty free admission should be presented to them at least 3 months in advance. A letter of request should be submitted to the Ministry of Health by the Coordinator/Team Leader of the Mission and a request will be forwarded to the Ministry of Finance by the Ministry of Health.
d. The request should also include what kind of assistance is needed from the local authorities.
2. If the Regional Health Manager believes the services are appropriate and there is a need for them, he/she will submit approval in writing to the requesting Coordinator/Team Leader of the Mission.
3. The next step involves an application for temporary registration by the Medical Council of Belize (MCB) and/or the Nursing Council. The form must then be filled out and submitted to the Secretary of the Medical Council Belize and/or Registrar of Nurses and Midwives Council of Belize at least three (3) months in advance. A fee of $25.00 per nurse is required. This MUST be accompanied by a copy of the letter of approval by the Regional Health Manager of the health region where the mission intends to visit. No applications will be accepted if this letter is missing.
4. The Medical Council of Belize and/or the Nursing Council will review the application form with accompanying documents. The Council will decide whether or not a personal interview is necessary or not.
5. A response will be submitted in writing within two (2) weeks to the interested party.
6. It is the responsibility of the Visiting Team to advertise through flyers, radio, television, newsprint and house to house visit before the actual event through their in-country focal point.
7. It is also the responsibility of the Team to provide transportation for the Team.
8. It is the responsibility of the Visiting Team to bring their basic medical equipments.
9. In order to provide the patients with the necessary privacy and to ensure access to all, the Regional Manager and his team will make the plans to identify the Health Services Facilities (Health Centers, etc.) or location for the provision of services assisted by the Community Health Workers.
10. As part of the visit, the first day can be allocated for a meeting with the Local Health Authorities and familiarization with the staff working at Hospitals and Health Centers, Laboratory and X-Ray Departments, etc
11. The MINISTRY OF HEALTH (MOH) BELIZE NATIONAL HEALTH INFORMATION SYSTEM GENERAL OUTPATIENT FORM should be utilized for each patient.
12. A formal written report of activities and outcomes should be submitted, within two (2) weeks after completion of activities, to the Regional Health Manager and copied to the Office of the Director of Health Services. This is extremely critical to provide follow-up healthcare interventions and will be included in the surveillance system to reduce underreporting and therefore contributing to valid morbidity statistics for planning processes.
13. If the Medical Mission will embark upon activities/patient interventions that will need medical follow-up by Belizean Health Care Personnel, adequate arrangements for this to be implemented must be made with the local health care personnel before departure of the Mission.
14. Transportation, food and accommodations, vaccinations and prophylaxis will be the responsibility of the Coordinator/Team Leader of the Mission and prior arrangements are therefore recommended.
15. Failure to comply in the above will result in the voluntary medical mission not becoming a reality.
Contact Persons:
Mrs. Marjorie Parks
Deputy Director of Health Services (Nursing)
Ministry of Health
East Block Building
BELMOPAN CITY
Telephone Nos.: (501) 822-2325, 822-2363, 822-2497 or 822-2068
Fax Nos.: (501) 822-2942 or 822-2055
Ms. Sharette White
Secretary
Medical Council of Belize
Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital
Princess Margaret Drive
BELIZE CITY
Telephone No.: 501-223-1548
Fax No.: 501-223-3081
Mrs. Catherine Godinez
Registrar
Nurses and Midwives Council of Belize
Corner Princess Margaret Drive and St. Joseph Street
P.O. Box 933
Belize City
Telephone/Fax No. 501-223-3466
E-mail:
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