U.D.P. Blasts Briceño Administration’s Pandemic Response

Patrick Faber

The U.D.P. also had harsh words for the Briceño administration’s response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including the mounting death toll since the People’s United Party assumed office in November 2020.  Former Director of Health Services, Dr. Marvin Manzanero, was sidelined from active duty on the forefront shortly after Cayo North Area Representative, Michel Chebat, took over the Ministry of Health and Wellness.  All efforts were made to have Dr. Manza removed from the post altogether and, despite Chebat succeeding several months later, the office which has since been bifurcated still remains vacant.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero

Patrick Faber, Leader of the Opposition

“He blamed, shortly after getting into office, of course, the situation on Dr. Manzanero, and he said that Manzanero’s approach was the problem.  Well I don’t remember the exact numbers but it was tremendously low, not even a hundred, I am sure… seventy-five on the dot.  But if Manzanero could have been deemed a failure for seventy-five deaths, where do you categorize Michel Chebat for six hundred and seven deaths?  Does he deserve the reward for even continuing to be a part of the P.U.P. administration, the P.U.P.’s cabinet?  And, of course, as you’ve heard me say, we’re no happier that Kevin Bernard is given the job because we don’t believe that he’s up to the task given the current situation that exists.  And Mr. Prime Minister and new Minister of Health and Wellness, the same conditions will prevail in terms of our health system if you don’t get a chief executive officer that can work and function in a professional manner with the minister and other ministry officials. If you don’t properly secure those areas that come under or what came under the Director of Health Services which, as you know, they blew to smithereens and separated under two new positions which still have not been filled, to my knowledge.”