DHS Calls for Stop to Discrimination Against Health Workers

Marvin Manzanero

Doctor Marvin Manzanero also raised concerns about health workers facing discrimination, as well as being aggressed by members of the public. He says that there are reported cases in the west and north where health workers are having problems accessing stores and public transportation. He calls on the public to refrain from these acts and reminds us that these persons are a critical part of Belize’s response and preparedness for COVID-19.

Dr. Marvin Manzanero, Director of Health Services

“Our health staff has now come to be aggressed at least in two communities and I need to say that because we are aware that in San Ignacio, particularly, and in Corozal, health staff are not being allowed to go into the stores to get groceries. We are being told that people don’t want to sell them food, even though they are doing their routine work schedules. We even have issues where taxi drivers and buses are not allowing health staff to get onboard and they are simply not being picked up at all. We don’t expect that to continue to happen because are expected to carry out our functions, so if we can call out the community that this is not the time to be isolating health staff, in that regard.”