Ministry of Health partners with PAHO to hold two day Cancer Stakeholders Meeting

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Pan American Health Organization in partnership with the Minister of Health hosted a two day Cancer stakeholders working session to develop a National Cancer Control Program.
The objectives according to Dr. Ramon Figueroa, Director, Planning Unit was to lay out policy direction in terms of Belize’s National Cancer response for the short term, medium term and long term for sustainability and human resource development.
The other primary objective involved discussions and developmental recommendations for a Coordinating Mechanism for a national cancer response. Consultant for the development of the program, Ms. Silvana Luciani summarized the objectives as a meeting to reduce Cancer risk factors, cancer burden and also to improve the quality of life.
In his welcoming remarks, Chief Executive Officer, Dr. Peter Allen urged to team to contribute to the development of a plan to make cancer a priority in the National Health Agenda. He also reiterated his commitment on behalf of the Ministry to lead in the discussion to reduce the incidence and mortality of persons who are affected by Cancer.
PAHO/WHO Representative, Belize, Dr. Gerardo de Cosio provided remarks in which he also encourage the stakeholders to discuss and define a public and private sector response to Cancer.
This is the second working session held to develop a National Cancer Control Program. The first session was held in 2013. Belize is one of nineteen countries of Latin America and the Caribbean who presently do not have a Cancer Program or plan to date according to Government sources.