Beyond acquiring medical supplies and equipment, the Government of Belize is capitalizing on the India-UN Fund support to address the “infodemic” through public-service announcements. This and other key messages to raise awareness about COVID-19 and counter misinformation among specific target populations were developed addressing COVID-19 prevention, variants, vaccine benefits, safety and risks, misinformation and prioritization. Communication products were made available in English, Spanish, Garifuna, Q’eqchi and Mopan Maya to reach a broad population, including vulnerable and remote communities.
“The virus that causes COVID-19 changes or mutates as it moves around the world. Because of these mutations, the virus can become easier to catch. But the variants can still be detected with the lab tests that are being used in Belize. More importantly, the variants can be controlled with the same COVID protocols we all know, so continue to wash hands with soap and water for at least 40 seconds; wear a mask that covers mouth and nose; avoid large crowds, especially in small, enclosed spaces; practise physical distancing. And when it’s your turn, choose to get vaccinate.”
Says one of these public-service announcements.
Beyond the public information campaign, the project has also provided 20 patient monitors, 7 electrocardiogram machines, 10 delivery beds, 12 emergency trolleys, two biomedical waste trolleys, 12 transfer stretchers, 10 suction machines, 15 incubators, 2 autoclaves for medical waste management with capacity respectively for 400 and 300 litres, and 46 automated hospital beds.
