The latest COVID report tells us that 569 people have died of COVID 19 in Belize so far - and the numbers increase every day. Indeed, the country is in the clutches of the pandemic, but all is not well at the Ministry of Health and Wellness which has been dealing with deep internal disputes. It culminated three weeks ago in a directive from Minister Michel Chebat to CEO Dr. Deysi Mendez that she is not to make any disbursements for purchase orders, invoices, contracts, or agreements in excess of $3,500.00 - without first getting his consent. That's tying the hands of the Ministry's Accounting Officer - and she reportedly responded by refusing to sign anything creating a state of paralysis in this key ministry where virtually all payments and disbursements were frozen.
Well, the impasse will soon be over. This morning the Prime Minister announced on Sunup on 7 that CEO Mendez was heading out the door and the government was looking for a replacement. This major shift in the ministry comes in the middle of the third COVID wave, when the Delta variant is coming on strong after both the vaxxed and unvaxxed.
And according to the PM, the reason behind Dr Mendez's departure is because of what he called "a personality clash" between her and Minister Michel Chebat that makes it difficult for them to work with each other. And while they've got their daggers drawn in what looks to all the world like a children's spat, what happens to the rest of the public? The PM explained that this shift is for the benefit of the ministry.
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Yes, she'll be leaving. It is obvious that they had personality differences between the minister and the CEO. So we're in the process of appointing a new CEO shortly."
Courtney Menzies:
"Sir, but we're in the middle of a public health crisis and now the minister and the CEO are having issues with each other. Shouldn't they have just, you know, mend fences for the sake of the Belizean people?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"Well, the crisis we have for a while. So I don't think the crisis and them not getting along has nothing to do with one another. It's a matter of personality differences. And so the best thing you do is you move on then we will get in another CEO, a person that we believe is very capable and have a lot of experience and that will be able to get the work done."
Courtney Menzies:
"We've received reports that because of their personality differences, certain companies such as those that provide dialysis and whatnot are not being paid because the CEO refused to sign the checks. Is this true?"
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I have absolutely no idea about what you're talking about, and I'm hearing this for the first time. Certainly, if that would have come to my attention, I would have immediately called the minister and asked what's going on? But if that's an issue then certainly, I guess, I'd be able to get in touch with him today to find out if these people are being paid because it's important that we continue this service. It's a matter of life and death for a lot of people, so we have to ensure that we keep that service going."
Courtney Menzies:
"Are you also considering shuffling the minister because he's in conflicts with the KHMH's board, the PSU and his CEO and the DHS, and that's only what we know of so far."
Hon. John Briceno, Prime Minister
"I don't think that's a matter, first of all, I think that I have started to think about. We just finished our first year, we're coming to the end of a year and then we do a review and try to see what we need to make any changes, any tightening of different ministries. So we're not there. But at the end of the year, I'll be meeting with all the ministers individually and to talk to them about the work that they have done so far and see how best we can continue to provide even a better service. There's always room for improvement so my idea, the idea that I do have is as the prime minister to meet with everybody individually and talk about their performance as a minister for the past year."
Reports tell us that Friday will be Dr Mendez's last day on the job. As you heard, no replacement has been named.
