Epidemic Management: Dr. Horacio Arruda did not regret it

D.^R. Horacio Arruda was very quiet about dealing with the epidemic today at first public appearance after stepping down as national director of public health.

The colorful medical expert famous for the epidemic promised, “This is going well.”

Now in charge of public health prevention components, he attended a press conference on the new government’s health prevention policy, which will benefit from the $ 120 million envelope over three years.

The National Director of Public Health submitted his resignation on January 10 after being widely criticized for managing his vacation period.

Despite the rise of the Omigran variant, Prime Minister Franois LeCald initially agreed to a 20-person meeting, as he wished, finally lowering the limit for Christmas and then imposing a curfew on New Year’s Day.

“Correct” results

Six months later, he says he was indifferent to his decision to leave the post in turmoil.

“This is not a relief or a disappointment,” the doctor says, recalling that his role is far more comprehensive than managing the infection.

Looking back, d^R. Arruda says he has no regrets about handling the holiday season.

“The decisions I made, in consultation with others, we thought were very reasonable in terms of balance for the people of Quebec,” he says.

D.^R. Arruda recalls the particular context in which Quebec found itself. “Probably in the same context, with the same recommendations, I would still come to the same solutions,” he says.

He assures us that Quebec has “performed extremely well” in the context of epidemics, based on data on over-mortality.

Independent director?

On his side, the Minister of Health, Christian Dube, did not want to promise to create the post of National Director of Public Health independent of politics, which was repeatedly demanded by the opposition.

To date, d^R. Arruda, d.^R. Luc Boileau, another assistant minister, reports to the minister.

“For now, there will be no change because we are still in day-to-day management [de la pandémie] Says Mr. Dubai. However, he added that changes would “probably” come in the coming months.