The Association of Public Service Senior Managers has come out swinging for one of its own, Director of Health Services Dr Marvin Manzanero.
He's a head of Department who's been sent home on administrative leave after he wouldn't accept a demotion. Today, a press release from the APSSM says it condemns, quote, "the utter disregard of due process by the Ministry of Health," end quote.
It adds, defiantly, "Regardless of what has been said and representation being made by our leaders. he remains as the duly appointed and commissioned Director of Health Services unblemished and committed to the cause of healthcare in Belize." End quote.
The release scolds the CEO in the Ministry of Health and Wellness, Deysi Mendez, saying, quote, "The Association views that the suggestion or inference that Dr Manzanero may be guilty of misconduct in the performance of his duty during a pandemic as very serious, especially in the absence of any no rule book to base such positions on.
This only demonstrates the evils of political interference (in) the work public servants…" End quote.
The release concludes, quote, "It is a shameful and wrongful act which we call on them to correct before the expiration of the administrative leave placed on Dr. Manzanero."
As we have reported Manzanero showed up for work last week after returning from sick leave, to find that he had no office, no desk, and no vehicle. The Ministry offered him two posts that would amount to a demotion - one of them sending him right back to the post he started out at in 2006. When he refused, the ministry produced a letter accusing him of misconduct, and contributing to the number of COVID deaths by not using the BAHA lab for COVID tests.
