Today the Pan American Health Organization closed a regional workshop on strengthening drug management for what are known as second line Anti-TB drugs.
Not exactly exciting stuff, but it is important: 15 countries participated, 12 of which were the countries with the highest level of tuberculosis.
You might be surprised to know that Belize is one of those, but Anna Fonz, who was representing Peru, talked more about the goals of the workshop and some of the conclusions that were reached.
Geraldo De Cosio, PWR PAHO
"We got involve because tuberculosis is a priority worldwide and also in Belize. Not because we have cases in Belize but we are trying to prevent new cases to develop in the country."
"Let's assume there is a need to have what we called second line tuberculosis drugs to treat multi-drug resistance, it will benefit because other countries have joint program and joint efforts and so it will be cheaper to buy medications that way."
"It is Belize can also establish contacts with other countries that have a lot more experience in treating and dealing with various complicated cases, so they can support Belize also to treat cases and to get the best care."
Anna Fonz, Focal point from headquarters in Peru
"This meeting was placed here in Belize because Belize is among the 12 countries with the highest level. Belize is not the highest, but it's among the 12 countries with the highest level of tuberculosis. So this reason Belize is very important for us."
"They will have to test. It takes about 4 weeks to test. After testing we give them like an outline for the plan that they must develop and they have one month to do that."
Belize has about 75 cases of Tuberculosis in the country and is one of the countries with the highest rates in the region.