Project Name：Project for Strengthening Metabolic Chronic Disease Prevention and Control Systems in Belize

Project status：Projects in Operation

Cooperating Country：Central America, Belize

Project Description：

Approximately 65 percent of deaths in Belize are caused by non-communicable diseases (NCDs). Ischemic heart disease, diabetes, stroke and chronic kidney disease accounted for the first, second, third and fifth places of Belize's top 10 causes of death in 2019. Although Belize has relevant strategies for preventing NCDs, the effectiveness of these policies is unclear. This could be due to insufficient knowledge of metabolic chronic disease among the public or even among health personnel at medical institutions. Issues could also stem from community health education personnel’s lack of promotional capabilities and health education materials, which would make improving individual self-management abilities difficult.

Based on Taiwan's experience and expertise in the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases and in working with Far Eastern Memorial Hospital, this project will assist in strengthening the care and management system for metabolic chronic diseases in Belize. By strengthening metabolic chronic disease prevention and control systems, the project would also enhance the prevention and control other chronic diseases. Project outputs include:

1. Strengthening the policy-forming capacity of the government for the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases.

2. Strengthening the capacity for metabolic chronic disease prevention and control in medical institutions.

3. Enhancing the self-management capacities, health literacy and health awareness of community residents for the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases.

Region：Central America

Implementation Start Date：2023-10-31

Implementation End Date：2027-10-30

Project Objectives：

1. Strengthen the policy-forming capacity of the government for the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases.

(1) Invite policy planners to Taiwan.

(2) Assist in conducting metabolic chronic disease-related surveys to provide evidence-based recommendations.

(3) Hold an international seminar on the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases.

2. Strengthen the capacity for metabolic chronic disease prevention and control in medical institutions.

(1) Strengthen the professional and case management capacities of the metabolic chronic disease team in medical institutions.

(2) Assist at least 2 public medical institutions to strengthen hardware capabilities and provide reagents needed for the prevention and control of metabolic NCDs (including obesity, diabetes and hypertension, etc.).

3. Enhance the self-management capacities, health literacy and health awareness of community residents for the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases.

(1) Improve people’s awareness of their own metabolic conditions.

(2) Capacity building of community health education personnel or other identified groups.

(3) Community/workplace/school health education promotion activities.

Executing Agency：

TaiwanICDF / Ministry of Health and Wellness, Belize / Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Implementation Arrangement：

Members of the Project will provide technical assistance and assistance for capacity building.

Current Progress：

To the end of December 2024, the following activities have been carried out:

1. Two policymakers visited Taiwan to learn about our country's approaches to promoting the prevention and control of metabolic chronic diseases.
2. In response to World Hypertension Day, the project jointly organized the Love Your Heart series of activities with the Ministry of Health and Welfare, Belmopan City Council and Orange Walk. We have provided on-site exercise teaching, blood pressure and blood sugar testing, health education on mental health and other health topics. A total of 76 exercise sessions were held with a total of 2,413 participants.
3. 4 seed instructors received training for care and case management skills for patients with metabolic chronic diseases at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital.
4. Cooperated with the Health Education and Community Participation Bureau (HECOPAB) of the Ministry of Health and Welfare on the Love Your Heart Campaign. 54 health screening activities were conducted in various districts of Belize, and a total of 3,303 people joined the screening.

Project Performance：

Strengthen the prevention and control systems of metabolic chronic diseases in Belize.

Project Contact：An-Lun Chang

Phone：02-2888-6059

E-mail：al.chang@icdf.org.tw

Signing Date：2023-10-31

Cooperating Stakeholders：Ministry of Health and Wellness, Belize / Far Eastern Memorial Hospital

Mission：Taiwan Technical Mission in Belize