But who did speak up today was the Ministry of Health and Wellness. After 6 weeks of stony silence both to the public and the complainant, they finally made a public statement on the complaint - a statement designed to concoct a narrative that they were on top of the case all along.
A release this afternoon declares grandly: "the Ministry of Health & Wellness places on record its condemnation of any sexual misconduct and assault by those entrusted with our care."
The release goes on to say that the complaint is "regarding a medical practitioner who is employed with the ministry. The complaint stated that the alleged incident took place inside a private health facility and was reported to the ministry by the alleged victim, who also made a report to the Belize Police Department.
The MoHW was in contact with the Director for Public Prosecution at the time of the report and was kept updated by the relevant partners regarding the process that needed to take place. Due to the very serious and sensitive nature of the allegation, the ministry determined that the matter should be dealt with solely by the Police Department.
Now that charges have been levied….the MoHW has written to the Ministry of the Public Service to request that the doctor be placed on interdiction." End quote.
Now, according to police, the complaint requesting court action was not made until May eighth. The 23 year old victim said in her March 27th letter to the Ministry that she did make a statement to the police immediately after the incident but it was so traumatic reliving the ordeal that she did not go through with it. That's when she turned to the Ministry of Health. So, we find it odd that the ministry would say it deferred to the police on what is first and foremost a professional matter. The circumstances seem instead to suggest that the DPP's office took the lead, and the Ministry followed.
We asked the DPP what was her involvement, and she said that it is her office that reached out to the ministry, quote, "The complaint was referred to me by the police. I advised them on the matter and provided a draft of the charge. I contacted the Ministry and apprised of the action that would have been taken on our side because I wanted to be advised as to what would be done administratively, as I had concerns that the doctor was still practising. It was my understanding that steps would have been taken to address that situation..."
Well, the Ministry says it has requested that the Doctor be placed on interdiction, but, we imagine they mean "administrative leave", since interdiction does not exist for public officers.
