The governor Wanda Vázquez Garced rejected on Monday that the medical “task force” advising her to face the pandemic of COVID-19 has resigned, but did confirm that the group will now have a “less active” role in the emergency.
“The medical‘ task force ’have not relinquished their duties. Their role will now be less active, given that they will continue advising this servant, the government and the people related to COVID-19, but taking into consideration that these medical professionals have their investigations and their medical offices that they have to follow. attending, “said the first executive through a press release.
For his part, the general coordinator of the medical team, Dr. Segundo Rodríguez Quilichini, said that his work now “goes to another stage.”
“It is important to emphasize that the members of this working group are clinicians, academics, researchers and participants in academic management. As the different sectors have been reopening, we, in turn, have been incorporating to a greater extent all our other academic, clinical and research functions and responsibilities.. As a faculty of the Medical Sciences Campus, we teach multiple classes or courses, supervise theses and research projects and participate in the transition to online education, in addition to caring for patients and participating in post-doctoral training programs. However, from our respective areas of work, we will continue to be available to advise the governor on what she needs us. Our vocation is to serve, and we will continue to do so, ”said the doctor and president of the Medical Sciences Campus of the University of Puerto Rico.
The new role of the “task force is determined at the moment the island gives way to a gradual reopening of the economy, while the government reports 136 deaths and 3,873 confirmed cases of COVID-19.
Vázquez Garced acknowledged the work of the group of professionals, noting that they spent “many hours working in a detached way” since the “task force” was formed after the departure of former Secretary of Health, Rafael Rodríguez Mercado, in March.
“Puerto Rico appreciates the commendable work they have done to date, and recognizes the importance of continuing to count on their advice, knowledge and experiences. Thanks to his time and effort, decisions were made on time, such as the ‘lock down’ imposed since March, which greatly helped to avoid the spread of this virus. The ‘task force’ is in a transition phase, but it will continue advising us as we continue fighting against COVID-19, ”the governor stressed.
Public appearances of the medical group were reduced after doctors Rodríguez Quilichini and Juan Salgado appeared before the Health Commission of the House of Representatives to testify for the failed purchase of rapid tests from the company Apex General Contractors.
Both doctors denied that they had intervened in the exam acquisition process and indicated that their role was limited to advising the Department of Health personnel.
Meanwhile, a few weeks ago it emerged that the medical team had expressed reservations with various determinations by Vázquez Garced about the second phase of the economic reopening, such as, for example, the operation of the shopping centers.
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