Turning now to other topics of national interest, 2 days ago, you saw how the Opposition, UDP, amplified Dr. Fernando Cuellar's call for Michel Chebat to resign as the Minister of Health and Wellness.
Dr. Cuellar gave a public vote of no-confidence against Minister Chebat, and the Opposition Party was quick to point out what they see as his many failures as leader of the country's public health system in the first year of the Briceno Administration.
So, what does the man under pressure to perform in a global pandemic think about this push for his removal? We asked him this morning after another event.
Here's how he answered:
Reporter
"How do you respond to the political call for your removal from office?"
Hon. Michel Chebat - Ministry of Health and Wellness
"Well, Isani, let me tell you, these eleven months have not been easy months. These I think I have perhaps the most difficult job to do. And I think all ministers of health across the world have sit in a similar position as I do. You know, I wish that when I took over the Ministry of Health, I wish that we did not find hospitals that had been abandoned for eleven for 13 years. I wish that we did not find a healthcare system where our nurses and doctors, their morale are so low. I wish we do not find a system where they were owing so much in overtime. But that is the plate that we have been served, and that is what we have to work with. It is 13 years of neglect. And so all of a sudden, compounding that is this pandemic and not the alpha variant. Nobody could have expected or anticipated the delta. And we all know what the Delta variant has done across the world and to Belize. And so it is not an easy job. You know, it is not an easy job, but we are working. We are working. And like we didn't say here in Belize, ‘If you're not doing anything, nobody is looking at you.' You understand. So I am satisfied that I am doing everything that I can. I am satisfied that the Ministry of Health and Wellness is doing the best that it can."
Reporter
"Sir, but while you take that stands for the political call? We have Dr. Cuellar who you asked to be on the board of KHMH. He left in a huff. And as well he also called you out, specifically saying that your leadership is not what this ministry needs at this time."
Hon. Michel Chebat
"You know, everybody has an opinion. Everybody has an opinion. As I said before, I am the person who appointed Dr. Cuellar, and I did so because I have confidence in him and his abilities."
Reporter
"But, he lost confidence in you."
Hon. Michel Chebat
"Though that is fine. That is his position. You know, we all have different points of view and different opinions, and I respect his. I do respect this."
