Brazilian Health Minister Henrique Mandetta says he has been dismissed from office by President Jair Bolsonaro.
"I just heard from President Jair Bolsonaro the notice of my resignation from the Ministry of Health. I want to express thanks for the opportunity that I was given to lead our [Health Ministry..", Mandetta tweeted on Thursday.
de planejar o enfrentamento da pandemia do coronavírus, o grande desafio que o nosso sistema de saúde está por enfrentar.
— Henrique Mandetta (@lhmandetta) April 16, 2020
Bolsonaro and Mandetta have had different views on combating COVID-19. While the former health minister was an advocate of social isolation, Bolsonaro insisted on only isolating citizens from the "risk group" - seniors and those with chronic diseases. Mandetta has also been against using hydroxychlorochinum to treat coronavirus.
Bolsonaro announced later on Thursday that oncologist Nelson Teich has been appointed new health minister. According to Estadao newspaper, Teich reportedly met with Bolsonaro in the morning and produced a good impression. Teich has worked as a health consultant in his 2018 presidential campaign and is the founder of the COI Institute, which conducts cancer research.
