(Sioux Falls, SD)--Children in Central America will soon have more pediatric healthcare closer to home. Sanford Health announces its first international children's clinic will be built in Belize City, Belize. The new Sanford Children's Clinic Belize will be designed similar to other Sanford Children's facilities and is expected to open in 2011. It is the second Sanford Children's World Clinic announced by Sanford Health as part of the initiatives outlined after a $400 million donation from Denny Sanford in 2007.

"As the Belize population continues to grow and as Belize City is seen as a destination for commerce, the need for pediatric care in this community has increased," stated Dave Link, Sanford Health Executive Vice President. "We look forward to expanding the pediatric care to this region and to its children."

Belize, formerly British Honduras, is a country in Central America with nearly 9,000 square miles of territory and 320,000 people, including more than 120,000 children.


"We, in Belize, learned of the mission and vision of Sanford Health and asked them to consider our community for a clinic location," stated The Honorable Pablo Marin, Belize Minister of Health. "Under the guidance of Sanford Health and with the support of our local community, we are proud to soon offer this expanded healthcare service for children and families in our country."

Sanford Children's Clinic Belize will work collaboratively with a number of organizations to assist in development and on-going operations. These organizations include the Belize Healthcare Charitable Trust (BHCT), the Belize Natural Energy Charitable Trust, Belize Healthcare Partners Limited and the Government of Belize; as well as a variety of other individuals and organizations.

"The BHCT was established by the Belize Bank, the largest full-service commercial banking operation in Belize," said Mr. Philip Osborne, Trustee of the BHCT. "The focus of the trust is for the development, investment in, and provision of medical and healthcare services in Belize; for the benefit of the people of Belize. We very much look forward to working with Sanford Health to accomplish these goals."

Link added, "As part of the discussion process, our team visited Belize twice. We have been very impressed with the community support for this clinic. This clinic is exemplary of our commitment that care is best delivered close to home, wherever that home may be."

Sanford Children's Clinic Belize will be connected to a comprehensive team of pediatric sub-specialists with Sanford Children's Hospital in Sioux Falls, SD. Sanford Health will open its first Sanford Children's Clinic location in Duncan, OK in August 2009.

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