And that team will soon include an epidemiologist. The Ministry of Health hasn't had one active in a while - and these are the doctors most needed at the policy level during a pandemic.
Well, actually, they do have one on staff, Dr. Russell Manzanero - but the last regime in the Ministry - exiled him to some anonymous job in the Central Health Region - away from the Epi Unit.
Well, Minister Bernard says he plans to bring him back - while also advertising for the three Directors of Public Health, Hospital Services and International Relations to replace outgoing DHS Dr Marvin Manzanero:
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"We have to advertise the post. Of course, we are going to be looking quickly at candidates. There are possible internal upgrades that we can do as well, but I also want to look outside of the ministry to see where we can get the right fit, the right mix of individuals and professionals that will carry out the vision of what we want to achieve, because for this ministry to be effective we have to have those team in place. We have to ensure that the epi unit, the epidemiologist can come in. We are already looking at bringing in Dr. Russell Manzanero to hold over in the meantime. He has been here before. I know he is in Belize City, but we are looking at discussing for him to come in on Monday to support the unit with the view that we can also look outside to see who else we can find to strengthen this unit."
