And switching to health news… last week we told you that Dr Russell Manzanero was going to be placed back at the epidemiology unit - and as the head epidemiologist, he probably shouldn't have been moved in the first place. But he's not the only Dr Manza the country has been worried about. Dr Marvin Manzanero might have a place in the Ministry of Health after all. That's because the new minister, Kevin Bernard, said he felt that Dr Manza's made valuable contributions to the ministry and he's thinking of keeping the good doctor onboard - but, of course, not as the DHS.
Hon. Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness
"We can't undo what has been done in terms of the act, the amendment and in his own wisdom, the former minister and his team felt they needed to do some strengthening of the Ministry of Health. I can tell you there are some other recommendations in terms of when you look at the overall ministry of health and the strengthening of the Ministry of Health, understaffed, under resourced, human resource, so there's a lot of capacity building that has to take place. Now the focus and the center of attention has been on Dr Marvin Manzanero because of all the shifts but I think we also need to look on the other side of the coin that it's really trying to make the ministry more responsive at the same time, addressing the urgent needs of the ministry and that's one of the reasons I understand that these posts were created. That aside though, I feel that Dr Marvin Manzanero, and as I said the first time I met Dr Marvin Manzanero was yesterday, I've seen him and I think I talked to him over the phone when I was mayor when the COVID hit, that was the only discussion we had. But I did speak to Dr Marvin Manzanero yesterday, I had a very frank discussion with Dr Marvin Manzanero. I asked what is his background and get a real feel of the doctor."
"I had a great discussion with Dr Manzanero, I feel that Dr Manzanero as well as the other doctors in the ministry has contributed a whole lot to the health sector in Belize and I still feel like he can contribute in this ministry. I'm very optimistic and hopeful that we can find an amicable solution, one that would reduce the bloodletting, or what has been perceived as bloodletting, because to give credit, I think we have to really look at the whole situation. And so it is in my opinion that we reach out to Dr Marvin Manzanero."
