Horacio Arruda resigns as Quebec public health director

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Arruda had been director of public health for 12 years.

Author of the article:

Montreal Gazette

Publication date:

January 10, 2022 • 1 hour before • 2 minute read • 14 comments

Quebec's Director of Public Health Horacio Arruda answers a question during a press conference in Montreal, Wednesday, January 5, 2022.
Quebec’s Director of Public Health Horacio Arruda answers a question during a press conference in Montreal, Wednesday, January 5, 2022. Photo by Paul Chiasson /the canadian press

Citing a “certain erosion” of public confidence in government measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic, Dr. Horacio Arruda on Monday presented his resignation as Quebec’s director of public health.

In a statement released Monday night, Prime Minister François Legault confirmed that he had received the letter and accepted the resignation.

“The prime minister will address this tomorrow,” the statement said.

“For almost 12 years, I have served Quebec as the national director of public health,” Arruda wrote in his letter to Legault, dated January 10. “I have given the best of myself, with the background and the experience that I have. With my colleagues, for the past two years, we have fought tirelessly to minimize the impact of this terrible COVID-19 pandemic. “

Although he said public health officials did the best they could in making their recommendations based on the information they had at the time, “recent statements about the credibility of our recommendations and our scientific rigor certainly cause some erosion in the public cooperation. In this context, it seems appropriate to offer him the possibility of replacing me before the end of my term, at least as director of public health ”.

He said he would continue “to serve my fellow citizens as a stakeholder in public health, but would be willing to serve in another role.”

Early Monday, Dubé was asked in an interview with radio station 98.5 FM if he still had confidence in Arruda.

Arruda has come under fire in recent weeks, particularly for his early response to the arrival of the Omicron variant, which is now spreading rapidly in Quebec.

Dubé defended Arruda saying that he has done an “excellent job”.

And he added: “Dra. Arruda has been doing his best for 22 months under pressure. It is difficult for Dr. Arruda. I see him several times a week. It is very difficult for him at the moment ”.

Parti Québécois leader Paul St-Pierre Plamondon said Arruda “sacrificed himself for bad government decisions,” including the lack of scientists on Legault’s crisis management team.

“In very difficult circumstances, (Arruda) gave his best and we have to thank him.”

More details to come.

Reference-montrealgazette.com

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