The Flores family in Orange Walk spent the last month desperately attempting to pool together the funds and support needed to access a life saving treatment for their baby, Emiliano Flores, who was born with a rare genetic disease. But before they could raise the 4 million dollars needed, their little one passed away just under a week ago - breaking the hearts of hundreds of Belizeans who were touched by the story.
However, speculations had been raised that the baby's life could have been extended had he received a specific medication that was allegedly being held back by the Ministry of Health and Wellness. There were reports that they were taking too long to approve the medication so it could be brought into the country. But when we asked the minister about these claims, he was quick to set the record straight that they did everything on their end to assist the family.
Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health & Wellness
"I have no such indication that, that is far here or there. As far as I am concerned I spoke to the father I was away on vacation on personal leave I spoke to the father because I know the gentleman very well he is my constituent and I of course offered my condolences to them and the loss we know that it is a very rare illness that this child had and sadly he passed. There are very rare cases that a child with these types of conditions would survive. That is the sad reality I am not aware that there was any such delay or complaints because I would have gotten the information I believe they would have come to me they would have asked and they would have complained I have not heard any such complaint that there were delays and I can tell you that. That is one of the reason too we have been trying to ensure that we digitise certain processes and I have instructed my team at the ministry that there are certain processes we have to digitise to make more easy and accessible but I have not heard any such complaint that there was no hold back on this. I understand from other persons from the family that they did get the medication but they did not get the medication in time that they needed but it was not a matter that the ministry had anything to do with the delays I believe it was the procurement process that they had to use outside of the country so that is all I can say because I cannot respond to something I had no information on I have not heard any such complaint."
