Draft:Kevin Bernard

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Kevin Emmanuel Bernard is a Belizean politician serving as the Minister of Health and Wellness in the Cabinet of Belize since January 2022. He is a member of the People's United Party (PUP), Bernard represents the Orange Walk East constituency and has gained recognition for his leadership in advancing public health initiatives, including Belize's successful elimination of malaria, efforts toward universal health coverage, and active participation in regional health governance. His grassroots approach and focus on community development marked his early political trajectory before his appointment to the health portfolio.

Tenure as Minister of Health and Wellness

Major Initiatives and Achievements;

Malaria Elimination: Belize achieved WHO certification for malaria elimination in June 2023 under Bernard's leadership, a significant public health milestone for the country.
Universal Health Coverage (UHC): Bernard championed the waiver of fees at public hospitals and clinics, a step toward expanding healthcare access. He publicly committed to advancing UHC, emphasizing equitable service delivery and the rollout of the National Health Insurance (NHI) program.
Non-Communicable Diseases (NCDs): He prioritized combating NCDs through policy development and health promotion, aligning with regional strategies like front-of-package warning labels and healthier food environments.
Vaccination Advocacy: As a regional voice, Bernard participated in high-level panels during Vaccination Week in the Americas (2024), emphasizing the need to rebuild immunization programs post-COVID-19 and counter vaccine misinformation.

Regional and International Engagement

CARICOM Leadership: Bernard chaired the CARICOM Council for Human and Social Development (COHSOD) Health Meeting (September 2023), coordinating regional responses to health workforce shortages, NCDs, and climate-related health challenges.
Global Health Diplomacy: Represented Belize at the 78th World Health Assembly (May 2023) in Geneva, advocating for stronger health emergency preparedness and equity. He also attended the 2023 Global Health and Welfare Forum in Taiwan to share Belize's health achievements.
Partnership Building: Facilitated key collaborations, including EU-funded infrastructure projects like the retrofitted Central Medical Laboratory and technical support from PAHO/WHO.

Policy Priorities

Bernard’s ministry focuses on four pillars:

Health System Strengthening: Improving infrastructure, expanding primary care, and retaining health workers amid regional "brain drain."
NCD Prevention: Implementing evidence-based policies (e.g., tobacco control, healthier diets) to address Belize’s high NCD burden.
Health Security: Enhancing pandemic preparedness and cross-border disease control.
Regional Health Integration: Promoting Caribbean cooperation in medicine production, health worker training, and climate-resilient health systems.

Bernard expressed interest in pursuing a Master’s Degree in Public Health to deepen his technical expertise, stating, "I really like the ministry... I want to ensure that whenever I’m placed in a position, I leave it better than I found it." He faced public criticism regarding hospital conditions in Belize and claims that ministerial engagements yielded limited local benefits.

Awards and Recognition

WHO certification for Belize’s elimination of malaria (2023).
PAHO recognition for leadership in regional vaccination efforts (2024).

References