Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro appointed the country’s fourth health minister since the coronavirus pandemic began last year, indicating the constant instability in the country’s public health response. On Monday, he named cardiologist Marcelo Queiroga, who heads the Brazilian Society of Cardiology, to replace army general Eduardo Pazuello.
At Queiroga’s inauguration ceremony, Bolsonaro said, “Mr. Marcelo Queiroga is much more knowledgeable on the health issue, he is going to take action to reduce the number of people who die from this disease that’s been affecting the whole world.” He added, “He has everything in my opinion to do a good job, giving continuity in everything Pazuello did until today.” Bolsonaro went on to say that Quieroga would usher in a “more aggressive phase regarding the fight against the virus”.
Curiously, Bolsonaro only appointed Queiroga after Ludhmila Hajjar, another cardiologist, rejected his offer to take up the role. Hajjar remarked that she could not accept the role as she wishes to “remain above ideology”. She said, “(Bolsonaro) needs to choose someone he trusts, who is aligned with him, his ideas, his vision, and with the government’s desire. And I’m certainly not that person.”
Pazuello was under investigation for oxygen shortages in Manaus and has been held responsible for severe vaccine shortages, with only about 5.4% of the population vaccinated so far. In fact, the situation in Brazil has gotten so bad that crisis-torn Venezuela has delivered multiple shipments of oxygen to South Africa’s biggest economy.
In recent days, however, the administration has said that Brazil will secure and administer over 400 million doses of the vaccine by the end of the year.
Ahead of his departure, Pazuello said, “I didn't ask to leave, nor will I. It is not in my character. When the president asks, we will make a correct transition as is tradition.”
Last April, erstwhile health minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta was fired by Bolsonaro over disagreements on the need for social distancing and quarantine policies. Following his sacking, Bolsonaro said, “Mandetta’s vision was that of health, of life. Mine is more than life, it includes the economy and jobs.”
Mandetta was then replaced by Nelson Teich, but he resigned from his post within a month, citing an “incompatibility” with Bolsonaro’s approach. Teich took exception to Bolsonaro’s decision to reopen beauty salons and gyms despite rampant outbreaks across the country, and like Mandetta, also fervently disagreed over the President’s affinity for using anti-malarial drug hydroxychloroquine as a treatment for the coronavirus.
Since then, the health minister post has been held by army general Eduardo Pazuello, who has no public health experience. Pazuello has been somewhat of a ‘yes man’, in that unlike his two predecessors, he has greatly expanded the use of hydroxychloroquine.
In the past, Bolsonaro has called the coronavirus a “little flu”, and lambasted the Brazilian media for creating ‘hysteria’ and blowing the threat out of proportion. When governors and mayors and governors went against his wishes and implemented lockdowns, he called them “job killers” and “criminals”. Accordingly, he has been firmly against quarantine measures, in diametric opposition to his health advisers, and even led anti-lockdown protests outside the presidential palace.
His flippant disregard for both the virus and Brazilian citizens was most apparent last April, when he asked “So what?” after a reporter presented him with statistics about the soaring number of coronavirus deaths. He has also previously claimed that the Pfizer vaccine has serious “side effects” and that he will not take the vaccine himself.
Brazil has recorded over 11.5 million cases of the coronavirus and more than 279,000 deaths. It also continues to post record numbers of new cases and deaths. Against this dire backdrop, it is hoped that Queiroga will be able to rein in the President’s dangerous instincts. However, given that Brazil has now had four health ministers in the space of a year, this is perhaps a forlorn hope.
Bolsonaro Names Brazil’s Fourth Health Minister in a Year Amid Continued COVID-19 Crisis
Curiously, Bolsonaro only appointed Marcello Queiroga after Ludhmila Hajjar, another cardiologist, rejected his offer to take up the role.
March 17, 2021
IMAGE SOURCE: GERALDO MAGELA / AGÊNCIA SENADOThe new Brazilian Health Minister, Marcelo Queiroga