North American Taiwanese Medical Association Provides Free Medical Services in Belize — Prime Minister and Four Cabinet Ministers Express Sincere Gratitude

From October 25 to November 2, 2025, a 50-member delegation from the North American Taiwanese Medical Association (NATMA) traveled from across the United States to Taiwan’s ally, Belize, to provide free medical services.

The mission, led by Dr. Charles Hsu, included 8 physicians in internal medicine, pediatrics, and family medicine, 8 surgeons, 3 obstetricians/gynecologists, 6 dentists, and 2 acupuncturists. During the mission, the team provided free medical consultations and treatment to over 2,000 patients, performed 50 surgical operations, and completed 221 dental procedures (including cleanings and surgeries). Their service received wide recognition and appreciation from both local residents and government officials.

On October 28, at a dinner reception held at the Lamanai Landing Hotel, Prime Minister John Briceño and the Minister of Education met with the mission team, enjoying Belizean folk dances and music performances. The Prime Minister recorded a special video to express his heartfelt gratitude for the team’s professionalism and humanitarian spirit.

On October 29, at the Corozal town opening ceremony, three cabinet ministers, the mayor, Taiwan Embassy Counselor Mr. Huang, and community leader Mr. Philip Ying joined the team. This was the first time such a large medical team had visited Corozal, and local officials and citizens expressed deep appreciation for the team’s contributions, presenting honorary medals and certificates to each member and repeatedly inviting them to return next year.

The team’s service areas included Belmopan (the capital), Belize City, Orange Walk, Corozal (near the Mexican border), and Santa Elena (near the Guatemalan border). The large internal medicine, pediatrics, family medicine, OB/GYN, and acupuncture group served patients in six underprivileged communities in northern Belize.

At times, Dr. David Young even made home visits for elderly and bedridden patients and treated Mayan families. One evening, Dr. Tony Lee and Dr. Hsu together provided intra-articular knee injections and ECG testing for the Prime Minister’s aunt at her residence in Orange Walk.

The 10-member surgical team was divided into three groups:

• Dr. Dahlia Tawfix led operations at the Northern Regional Hospital,

• Dr. Nina Bowman at the Western Regional Hospital, and

• Dr. Clifford Eke at the Karl Heusner Memorial Hospital in Belize City.

They performed surgeries for gallstones, hernias, appendicitis, colon cancer, and limb amputations, among others.

The 8-member dental team, led by Dr. Esther Su Young, served at the Adventist Hospital near the Guatemalan border in southern Belize.

At Orange Walk’s Northern Regional Hospital, cardiologist Dr. Osita Onyekwere and OB/GYN Dr. Steve Yu provided four days of special clinics — the first ever cardiology and gynecologic colposcopy services in that hospital’s history.

On October 26, in Belize City, the team also conducted a half-day free clinic for local police officers and Taiwanese/Chinese residents, offering internal medicine, pediatrics, OB/GYN, and dental services.

On the final day, several physicians met with University of Belize School of Medicine President Dr. Johnson and faculty to discuss medical education collaboration — including training and internship programs — with the goal of helping Belize train its own physicians for long-term sustainability.

After completing four days of medical missions, the team visited the Embassy of the Republic of China (Taiwan) in Belize and met with Ambassador Lily Wen Hsu, expressing gratitude for the Embassy’s full support in making the mission a success.

At the farewell banquet, Minister of Health and Wellness Dr. Kevin Bernard, on behalf of the Belizean government, presented certificates of appreciation to team members, praising their compassion, professionalism, and humanitarian service.

The 50-member mission team, composed entirely of volunteer professionals — Taiwanese-American and American physicians, two Belizean doctors of Taiwanese descent, two Honduran doctors, and six medical students (from the U.S. and Kaohsiung Medical University in Taiwan) — all self-funded their participation and took personal leave to serve.

In addition to providing free medical services, NATMA donated tens of thousands of U.S. dollars worth of medical and dental equipment and supplies to the Belize Ministry of Health, supporting local hospitals and patients.

The team pledged to return to Belize for future medical and teaching missions, continuing to strengthen medical cooperation and friendship among the United States, Taiwan, and Belize.