Minister of Health and Wellness speaks out on political Advertisement

A political advertisement published on social media today has placed renewed attention on the Ministry of Health and Wellness, with several claims being raised about the ministry’s budget, spending, and decision-making under the leadership of Minister of Health and Wellness, Kevin Bernard. The advertisement called for audits into the ministry’s operations, pointing specifically to the increase in the national health budget from 19 million dollars in 2020 to 52.5 million dollars this year. The advertisement also raised concerns about a two-million-dollar contract that it claimed was awarded without a tender process, as well as questions surrounding the repeal of certain drug regulations. Following the release of those claims, Love News spoke with Minister Bernard, who responded to the issues raised and sought to clarify what he described as misunderstandings surrounding the ministry’s operations and decisions.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: “This political advertisement that you see aired on Channel 7 Belize first I think  it seeks to create suspicion around the medicine budget for the Ministry of Health and Wellness. That suggestion is very misleading. It is irresponsible and of course it ignores the fact of how public health services are financed and delivered. The truth is simple, I mean, medicines and medical supplies are procured through an open tender process. These are guided by established procedures intended to ensure transparency, accountability, and value for money. That’s one thing I can tell you that under my ministry, under my leadership, we have ensured that we follow the processes when it comes to the procurement of pharmaceutical and and medical supplies.”

Beyond addressing the specific allegations, Bernard also spoke about the broader spending priorities of the Ministry of Health and Wellness. He explained how the increased budgetary allocations have been directed toward strengthening healthcare services, supporting programs, and meeting the growing demands of the health sector. The Minister provided insight into where the ministry’s resources are being allocated and highlighted the areas, he says have benefited from the additional funding.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness:  “The ministry has expanded the range of services being provided to the public, including additional diagnostic services to our laboratories. When I got into office, in fact, when we got into office as a government you would have heard of the wastage in medical supplies and pharmaceuticals that were rotting and spoiling in a container that was just left there, millions of dollars. Under our leadership, under this ministry, under my leadership and this government, we have ensured that one, we expanded the delivery of services that are being provided to the Belizean people. And then these include additional diagnostic services through our laboratories as I mentioned. And when you see these increase in services it really tells you that there’s more tests, there’s more reagents, there’s more supplies, and there’s more medicines. And so that is the reality of really strengthening our healthcare delivery. “

Bernard also addressed the political nature of the advertisement and shared his reaction to the criticism being directed at him and the People’s United Party. He said that, in his view, the concerns being raised are selective and represent an attempt to target his leadership and the government rather than a genuine push for accountability.

Kevin Bernard, Minister of Health and Wellness: “Well, it’s obviously they are pulling at straws and they are trying to grab at everything and anything. And so this advertisement that they put out is trying to create a false impression, a false narrative and one that we are able to stand on our grounds on where we are able to defend because at the end of the day, we all know, as I said, the first process when we go to request any,  in fact as a minister of health you can ask any of my colleagues in cabinet that I am one of the ministers as well when we go to cabinet for making requests for investment in healthcare I’m one of the ministers who will always take some of the biggest requests because we need to ensure that we are improving the delivery of health services and healthcare across this country.”

Minister Bernard maintains that the investments made under his ministry are focused on improving healthcare delivery, expanding services, and ensuring that resources are being used to address the needs of the Belizean people./