Brazil to get its fourth health minister since pandemic began

Brazil is getting its fourth health minister since the coronavirus pandemic began, Report informs, citing Interfax.

President Jair Bolsonaro announced Monday night that the crucial role would be given to Dr. Marcelo Queiroga, president of the Brazilian Society of Cardiology. He replaces army general Eduardo Pazuello, who had held the job for less than a year.

"It was decided this afternoon to appoint Marcelo Queiroga," Bolsonaro told supporters in front of the presidential palace in Brasilia. "I have known him for a few years. He is not a person I have known for a few days. He has everything it takes to do a good job, following up on everything Pazuello has done until today."

Queiroga takes office amid one of the darkest periods of the pandemic in the country. As of Monday, a total of least 279,286 people had died of the virus. The country's hospitals are inundated, with intensive care wards in 22 out of Brazil's 26 states nearing capacity.

The outgoing Pazuello had recently faced sharp criticism for vaccine shortages and was under investigation for oxygen shortages earlier this year in Manaus, the Amazonas state's capital city.

Pazuello acknowledged earlier that a "replacement" was in the works more before on Monday but emphasized it was not his idea. "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," he added.

Queiroga will choose his working team, and a transition will take place "in one or two weeks," Bolsonaro also said.