Panel discussion - Self testing in Belize: A policy milestone for expanded testing

Masters in Health Care Management from the University of Swansea, UK. With over 20 years experience in supporting the Implementation of the National Health Insurance Scheme in Belize. Former Executive Director of the National AIDS Commission and former Focal Point for the HIV Global Fund Project in NHI’s role of Principal Recipient (PR). Mrs. Waight is passionate about supporting the long-term vision of rolling out of NHI services countrywide in a financial sustainable manner applying sound purchasing and planning tools that lead to efficiency gains and responsible purchasing of a wider scope of services for the benefit of the population we serve. In addition, Mrs. Waight remains committed to supporting the national HIV response and is an advocate for integration of a defined HIV primary care package among the network of NHI providers. This will further strengthen the continuity of services and adherence monitoring which will support the national target of achieving the 95/95/95 goals.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero studied general medicine at Universidad Autonoma de Sinaloa, Culiaca, Sinaloa, Mexico as a recipient of a scholarship from Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Mexico. He then completed an Internal Medicine Residency from Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico, Mexico and a Master's Degree in Global Health Policy at the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London. He also holds a Master's Degree in Global Bioethics from Anahuac University in Mexico.
Dr. Manzanero initially worked as a full-time internist in private sector before joining the Public Service as Director of the National HIV & TB program in 2006. He held this post from 2006-2015 and would eventually spearhead the Epidemiology Unit and was an integral part in spearheading the country's response to the H1N1 outbreak, the Ebola scenario and the Zika and Chigunkunya outbreaks. He would eventually be promoted to be Director of Policy Analysis and Planning Unit and then promoted to Director of health Services in 2015. He was the lead national health advisor for the COVID-19 pandemic response.
Nearing completion of his 20th year of public service, currently as Director of International Cooperation in Health, he has been recently re-engaged with the HIV programme and the recent Global Fund Grant Cycles.

Dr. Moti Ramgopal is a Consultant Physician and Director of Associates in Infectious Diseases. He is the founder of Midway Immunology and Research Center, the nonprofit Midway Specialty Care Center, and Midway Primary Care. Additionally, Dr. Ramgopal is a Professor of Medicine at the Florida State University College of Medicine and serves as an HIV Consultant to the Turks and Caicos Islands Government Ministry of Health and Human Services. Ramgopal received his medical degree from the University of the West Indies Faculty of Medical Sciences and completed his residency in Internal Medicine at Beaumont Hospital in Michigan. He subsequently completed a Fellowship in Infectious Diseases at Jackson Memorial Hospital and the University of Miami School of Medicine. With over 27 years of experience, Dr. Ramgopal is board-certified by the American Board of Internal Medicine and Infectious Diseases. His expertise includes clinical research and the rapid implementation of novel, cutting-edge treatments that benefit local communities. His research efforts have saved his community millions of dollars. With 17 clinics throughout Florida and more than 10,000 patients under his umbrella organization, his outreach is extensive. Midway has been involved in over 250 clinical trials spanning HIV, COVID-19, hepatitis C, and antimicrobial therapies. Dr. Ramgopal has served as the Principal Investigator for the SOLAR study and is a global advocate for long-acting (LA) treatments. His work has been published in peer-reviewed journals and presented at numerous national and international conferences. He regularly participates in CROI, IAS, EACS, and IDWeek, as well as other global scientific meetings. He has authored or co-authored more than 230 abstracts and publications in journals including The Lancet, Springer, Open Forum Infectious Diseases (OFID), Annals, AIDS, and JAIDS, among others.

Dr. Orlean Cus is a general medical practitioner who earned her degree from the University of Medical Sciences “Ernesto Che Guevara” in Cuba. With eight years of experience, she worked four years at Punta Gorda Primary Care Provider, including one year in the COVID Unit. She has spent the past three years at the Belize Family Life Association, where she advanced from General Practitioner to Medical Director. Dr. Cus works closely with people living with HIV, providing comprehensive medical care, including PrEP and PEP services, sexual health education, and STI screening. She has also received Introductory training in Motivational Interviewing, enhancing her patient-centered approach to care. Additionally, she has participated in international training opportunities, further expanding her capacity to effectively serve vulnerable populations.