Bolsonaro Fires Mandetta and Announces Nelson Teich as Minister of Health

Minister and president had been fighting over the policy to fight coronavirus

Brasília

President Jair Bolsonaro dismissed Minister Luiz Henrique Mandetta (Health) on Thursday (16), after clashes in the last few weeks over how to combat the coronavirus.

The president announced oncologist Nelson Teich in place of Mandetta, who confirmed his resignation through his Twitter account.

"I just heard from President Jair Bolsonaro the notice of my resignation from the Ministry of Health. I want to thank him for the opportunity that I was given, to be the manager of our SUS, to set up the project to improve the health of Brazilians and to plan to face the coronavirus pandemic, the great challenge that our health system is facing", he wrote.

Jair Bolsonaro and Nelson Teich. Credit:Reproducao/TV Brasil - Reproducao/TV Brasil

Nelson Teich, who was considered for the post during the 2018 election campaign, was received by the president this morning. The Secretary of Communication, Fábio Wajngarten, the economic team, and the military leadership supports his nomination.

The president thinks that the doctor could balance the ministry of health's actions between measures aimed at preventing coronavirus deaths and those that minimize the economic impact of the restriction measures, one of his concerns.

Although the president is in favor of what he calls the vertical quarantine, which preserves only at-risk groups, Teich has already positioned himself in favor of social isolation, Bolsonaro's point of contention with Mandetta.

Translated by Kiratiana Freelon

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