BELMOPAN, Fri. Feb. 26, 2021– Since mid-February, questions surrounding who will be at the helm of the Office of the Director of Health Services (DHS) have been a source of heated controversy within the public domain. Things intensified after an apparent demotion of the current DHS, which was followed by his apparent refusal to be transferred to the another office, after which there was a press release announcing that he was under investigation. In an effort to address the public reaction to all that has taken place, the Ministry of Health and Wellness issued a statement on Friday to give the public their side of the story.
As we previously reported, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, the embattled Director of Health Services, returned to his office on February 15, after spending almost two months on sick leave and holiday. He had contracted the coronavirus in early December 2020. Before this, according to the Ministry, he had been informed that Dr. Melissa Diaz-Musa would take over the post for an interim three months.
The release states, “Dr. Diaz reported to the Ministry of Health and Wellness (MOHW), Belmopan, on December 8, 2020, with the intention of getting handing-over notes from Dr. Manzanero; however, that morning we received news that he tested positive for COVID-19 and would proceed on sick leave.”
On the same day, according to the release, the Ministry of Public Service officially informed Musa-Diaz of her posting to perform duties as the DHS for the next three months. She returned to her post as the Deputy Regional Manager of the Central Health Region last week, after the public outcry that followed Dr. Manzanero’s apparent demotion and the subsequent placement of Manzanero on administrative leave.
The release states, in reference to Dr. Musa-Diaz, who has been commended by many for the work she did during her stint as DHS, “she continues in the work to combat the pandemic and to help to roll out a successful COVID-19 vaccination plan while meeting the other health needs of the population.”
In an interview last week, the Minister of Health and Wellness told local media that although no one is presently occupying the post of Director of Health Services, the work of the office continues. This work now falls under the Deputy Director of Health Services.
And while the Association of Public Service Senior Managers denounced the Government’s decision to apparently sideline Dr. Manzanero, its president says that the debacle has caused a good doctor, Dr. Diaz-Musa, to be placed in the middle of a controversy. They also mentioned that the Public Service Regulations were not followed in her appointment, possibly making the appointment of Musa-Diaz as acting DHS illegitimate.
At this time, Dr. Manzanero remains under investigation, Dr. Diaz-Musa is again working as Deputy Regional Manager at the Central Health Region, and the office of the DHS remains empty.
The MOHW release states, “We will remain focused at the task that lies ahead of us, as we embark on one of the most demanding healthcare programs ever — the COVID-19 vaccine rollout activity.”
We will continue to follow this story.