Interim DHS, the Sister-in-Law of P.U.P. Minister

Melissa Diaz

Earlier this week, we reported that Director of Health Services Doctor Marvin Manzanero had tested positive for COVID-19 and has since been self-isolating. One day later, the Minister of Health and Wellness, announced that in his absence, Doctor Melissa Diaz, the Deputy Regional Manager for the Central Health Region, has been appointed as Acting Director of Health Services.  Now, Doctor Diaz has worked with the ministry for twelve years and has been active in the fight on the ground against the coronavirus pandemic. But there are two deputy Directors of Health Services that were overlooked to appoint Diaz.  So is her appointment a form of nepotism since she is the sister-in-law of Minister Kareem Musa? Here’s his response to that question.

Kareem Musa, P.U.P. Minister

“I would want to echo the sentiments of the former prime minister when he was defending certain appointments in his administration; that if you are qualified for a particular post, then you are deserving of that post. And anybody in the Ministry of Health can tell you that Doctor Diaz, being in her position, since COVID-19 has been the hardest worker. And I am not in any way discounting the value of other workers in Belize City, but she is in charge of central region so we are talking the Belize District, San Pedro, Caye Caulker. She has not slept, believe it or not, since COVID-19. So she has been on the ball, she has a good grasp of the situation and I am sure that she is more than deserving of that post as interim DHS.”

Kareem Musa

Reporter

“As a member of your immediate family are you aware of any information that she will be permanently taking over the position?”

Kareem Musa

“Not to my knowledge. I only heard from her that she is the interim DHS; I have no knowledge of the future posting for that particular position.”