And it's a lot of work that the Ministry of Health has on their hands - and now the new CEO will have to hit the ground running. Dr Lesbia Guerra - the former Natural Resources CEO - has replaced the MOHW CEO, Dr Deysi Mendez and will be taking her office next week. But the idea of the switch in the middle of the public health crisis we currently face is concerning, and we asked Minister Chebat about the "personality differences" between him and his former CEO. He was cagey about the reason for the change, but said that he believes Dr Guerra will be an asset to the ministry.
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"Dr Guerra is not yet at the ministry, I believe her start date is the 15th of December."
Courtney Menzies:
"Can you clarify the personality differences between yourself and the former CEO, Dr Mendez?"
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"I don't think there is any personality differences-"
Courtney Menzies:
"That's what the prime minister said."
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"That's fine, that's fine, I'll tell you this, I want to thank Dr Mendez for the work she did at the ministry and I want to wish her well for whatever assignments she undertakes. I am looking forward to Dr Guerra coming onboard, Dr Guerra has some incredible administrative skills, the ministry has about 3,000 workers and so we need someone with that quality to come in and get things going so I'm looking forward to this next chapter."
Courtney Menzies:
"It must be quite difficult to switch CEO's in the middle of a pandemic especially with Omicron around the corner."
Hon. Michel Chebat, Minister of Health and Wellness
"Well you know what, we need to do what we need to do, we need to make sure the ministry is in a position that it is poised to deal with this new variant and I believe her addition will be incredible for the ministry."
