Belize Receives $45 Million Loan from Saudi Arabia for New Tertiary Hospital
Saudi Arabia and Belize sign $45 million loan agreement for new tertiary hospital.
BELIZE CITY, Belize — The Kingdom of Saudi Arabia has agreed to loan Belize $45 million to construct a new tertiary hospital in the Belmopan Area Project.
The signing of the development loan agreement was held on Wednesday, with Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations of Belize Anthony Mahler, Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize Kevin Bernard, and other officials in attendance.
The agreement is part of the Saudi Fund for Development's efforts to support sustainable development in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world.
The 200-bed hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, facilities, and integrated health services, benefitting approximately 200,000 patients annually.
The project aims to enhance the capacity of the local healthcare system by training health cadres and students from the University of Belize.
In addition to improving access to quality healthcare services, the hospital will play a crucial role in addressing chronic disease management, potentially reducing mortality rates in the region.
The new hospital will also stimulate local economic growth by creating direct and indirect job opportunities within the healthcare sector, providing a platform for medical education and training, and strengthening Belize's long-term healthcare capacity and resilience.
Prime Minister John Briceno expressed gratitude to the government and people of Saudi Arabia, stating that the new tertiary hospital will not only empower local communities but also strengthen the health sector's capacity to cater to the requirements of the capital's residents and surrounding areas.
Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development, emphasized the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to promoting sustainable socio-economic development in developing nations and Small Island Developing States, while supporting the journey to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
This agreement underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to overcome sustainable development and climate change challeng
The signing of the development loan agreement was held on Wednesday, with Minister of Tourism and Diaspora Relations of Belize Anthony Mahler, Minister of Health and Wellness of Belize Kevin Bernard, and other officials in attendance.
The agreement is part of the Saudi Fund for Development's efforts to support sustainable development in developing countries and Small Island Developing States (SIDS) around the world.
The 200-bed hospital will be equipped with state-of-the-art medical equipment, facilities, and integrated health services, benefitting approximately 200,000 patients annually.
The project aims to enhance the capacity of the local healthcare system by training health cadres and students from the University of Belize.
In addition to improving access to quality healthcare services, the hospital will play a crucial role in addressing chronic disease management, potentially reducing mortality rates in the region.
The new hospital will also stimulate local economic growth by creating direct and indirect job opportunities within the healthcare sector, providing a platform for medical education and training, and strengthening Belize's long-term healthcare capacity and resilience.
Prime Minister John Briceno expressed gratitude to the government and people of Saudi Arabia, stating that the new tertiary hospital will not only empower local communities but also strengthen the health sector's capacity to cater to the requirements of the capital's residents and surrounding areas.
Ahmed Al Khateeb, Minister of Tourism and Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Saudi Fund for Development, emphasized the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia's commitment to promoting sustainable socio-economic development in developing nations and Small Island Developing States, while supporting the journey to achieving the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals.
This agreement underscores Saudi Arabia's commitment to supporting Small Island Developing States (SIDS) to overcome sustainable development and climate change challeng