Mandetta to Remain Health Minister, But Says His Desk Drawers Were Being Emptied

RIO DE JANEIRO, BRAZIL – Health Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta said last night that he will remain in office after his afternoon meeting with President Jair Bolsonaro. He attended a meeting with all the other government Ministers and was left out of the daily conference in which his portfolio reports on the progress of the coronavirus in Brazil.

The “stay” announcement was made at a press conference scheduled at the last minute and which included several cabinet secretaries, in which he stated again that “doctors do not abandon patients” and that he will continue working with “science, focus and planning”. On the other hand, Mandetta said that now the “working conditions need to apply to everyone”.

“We will persevere, because by persevering we will face our enemy. Our enemy has a name and a surname: it is Covid-19. We have a society to try to protect. Doctors don’t abandon patients, I won’t abandon them.”
-Luiz Henrique Mandetta, Minister of Health

Mandetta conceded that he felt apprehensive during the day – although he did not formally mention the threat of dismissal – and said that his and his colleagues’ offices had even been cleared yesterday.

“Today was a day of little work in the Ministry. Everybody was wondering whether I was leaving. Many came in solidarity, and I thank them. I had people in here emptyingdesk drawers, taking things. They even helped with my drawers,” said the Minister, whose resignation was considered by Bolsonaro during the day.

Mandetta was joined by several members of the Ministry during the press conference: Wanderson de Oliveira, Health Surveillance Secretary of the Ministry of Health; João Gabbardo, executive secretary of the Ministry of Health; Denizar Vianna, secretary of Science, Technology and Strategic Supplies of the Ministry of Health; Erno Harzheim, secretary of Primary Health Care; and Francisco de Assis Figueiredo, secretary of Health Care.

Ministerial meeting

Mandetta detailed the meeting he had with the President and with other government Ministers.

“The only thing we are asking is for the best environment to work in the Ministry of Health. I understand that the meeting was productive. I understand that the government is repositioning itself for greater unity, focus, for all of us together towards this problem,” he said.

Despite remaining, the Minister mentioned a future outside the government and said it will be up to the President to define a new team if he deems it necessary.

“When I leave the Ministry, we will cooperate with any team that comes here, but we will leave the Ministry of Health together. We are available to Brazilian society to work together,” he said.

“We will contribute our share of the cooperation for as long as we are important and make a difference. Or until the President feels that he wants another team, that he doesn’t want this kind of work, that he finds the right people, that he wants to replace. We’re here to help, even if another team comes in. We are committed to people’s lives”.

Mandetta vs Bolsonaro

Mandetta has been the target of public criticism from President Bolsonaro, who disagrees with positions advocated by the Minister in responding to the virus.

The Minister has followed the WHO (World Health Organization) recommendations, corroborated by most of the medical and scientific community, and encouraged social distancing measures implemented by governors, such as the suspension of school classes and the partial closing of commercial business.

Bolsonaro has called for the country’s “return to normality” and has already stated that he has the power to determine by decree the reopening of business sectors. Mandetta’s dismissal has been considered by the President.

Source: UOL