By Breaking Belize News Staff: Following intense public backlash over enforcement on prescription medication including contraceptives, Minister of Health & Wellness Kevin Bernard has responded with a Sunday evening press release saying his Ministry is “carefully reviewing” its policies but made no mention of backtracking on its decision.
“This is not about removing safeguards, it is about strengthening them,” Bernard said. He also urged the public to remain respectful in this discussion.
“As Minister of Health & Wellness, I have taken note of the ongoing public discussion regarding access to birth control in Belize.
Let me be clear: our priority is, and will always be, the health, safety, and well-being of Belizean women and families.
In Belize, contraceptives are already widely available through our public health system and, in many cases, accessed directly through pharmacies.
However, what concerns us is not simply access; but ensuring that access is safe, informed, and consistent across the country.
We have heard the concerns being raised by girls and women, parents, by community leaders, and by healthcare professionals. These concerns are valid, and they deserve to be addressed with seriousness and respect,” the Minister said.
The Ministry is expected to address the matter this week, following even scrutiny from the Prime Minister’s own wife, the Special Envoy for Women & Children, Rosanna Briceño, and the Prime Minister’s own admission that: “Sometimes for want of the perfect, we mess up on the greater good for the people and this is just such a case.”
But if it were indeed a mess up, who is expected to clean it up and when?
The post Following intense public backlash over contraceptive prescription enforcement, Minister of Health says Ministry ‘carefully reviewing’ policy but no mention of lifting it appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
By Breaking Belize News Staff: Following intense public backlash over enforcement on prescription medication including contraceptives, Minister of Health & Wellness Kevin Bernard has responded with a Sunday evening press release saying his Ministry is “carefully reviewing” its policies but made no mention of backtracking on its decision. “This is not about removing safeguards, it
The post Following intense public backlash over contraceptive prescription enforcement, Minister of Health says Ministry ‘carefully reviewing’ policy but no mention of lifting it appeared first on Belize News and Opinion on www.breakingbelizenews.com.
