Tag: 2024-07-12

MOHW Condemns ‘Self-made Journalist’ for ‘Disruptive Behavior’

The Minister of Health and Wellness has strongly criticized “self-made journalist” Joseph “Ryan” Budna for his ‘disruptive behavior’ at Corozal Community Hospital on Thursday evening.

The ministry said, “Budna’s actions, which included placing a camera in the face of the Acting Chief of Staff and disrupting vital medical services, are deeply concerning and unacceptable.”

Budna allegedly disrupted medical services and caused a disturbance.

A livestream on Budna’s Facebook platform appeared to show a heated confrontation between Budna and Dr. Rafael Riverol,  the Acting Chief of Staff, in the presence of policemen, during which Dr. Riverol allegedly assaulted Budna. Budna said he will press charges.

The Ministry said, “It has come to our attention that Mr. Joseph “Ryan” Budna, who claims to be a self-made journalist, recently engaged in highly inappropriate behavior at the Corozal Community Hospital.”

The Ministry further said, “While we acknowledge the valuable role that journalism plays in our society, it is imperative that this role is carried out with integrity, respect, and adherence to professional standards… The Ministry of Health and Wellness has a duty to protect our staff from any form of harassment or harm, whether it comes from criminal elements or individuals masquerading as journalists. Our healthcare workers are on the front lines, tirelessly serving the community, and they deserve a safe and respectful working environment.”

Budna, in response, has released video footage alleging the mistreatment by the hospital’s Acting Chief of Staff and accusing the Ministry of not holding Dr. Riverol accountable for his actions.

Woman Raped in front of Patrick Faber’s Office; He Denies Family’s Request for Security Footage and Cites Safety Concern 

Collet Area Representative Patrick Faber says a woman was raped in front of his office sometime in the morning last week. Faber shared this when he spoke of public safety and the use of technology to fight crime during the adjournment of the Sitting of the House of Representatives on Thursday in Belmopan. He said, “A resident of my constituency got raped right in front of my office in the wee hours of the morning last week. The police camera is right up there.”

According to Faber, family members asked him for video footage his cameras captured. He denied their request. “The family came if I could lend them, if I could give them the footage from my office. No sir, because I’m not getting any quarrel with the people in that area about snitching. 

Faber not only expressed his own fear of reporting crime but also criticised both the current Briceno Administration and the previous administration under Dean Barrow for failing to provide the security that citizens in Belize desperately need.

Faber stated, “I’ve always been amazed by the Ministers of National Security or those responsible for the police, even under the UDP administration. It’s absurd to say that crime rates were here, here, and here under the UDP and now under the PUP, murders are here… On the streets and in people’s minds, there is a major concern about security. So, your commissioner can present all the fancy statistics, saying this is down and that is down, but even under the UDP, I felt the same way. Nobody wants to hear that. People want to know they are safe. So your justification that ‘it’s not as bad as when the UDP was in power’ doesn’t help.”

Faber continued, “The Leader of the Opposition is right when he says both administrations need to get serious about promises like DNA testing….All you do is boast about the job you and your commissioner are doing, but that doesn’t resonate with the people because we do not feel safe. It is your responsibility. You publicly declared that solving the problem is simple and easy. You did that, and the record will show it.”

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