And while Dr Arzu is a public officer, he also operates at a private clinic. And, ultimately the decision on what does or does not happen with his license to practice is a decision for the Medical and Dental Council. We spoke to the chairman Dr. Atanascio Cob this evening in Belize City.
He told us that - like the Ministry of Health - they left the investigation of a complaint about a medical professional to the police.
Today he denied that they shied away from responsibility:
Cherisse Halsall:
"Sir in this situation the alleged victim has had her life turned upside down by this situation so my first question would be, what assurances does she have from the medical board that this situation is being looked into expiditiously?"
Dr Atanascio Cob, Chairman, Medical Council Of Belize
"Yes, the medical council of Belize is here to govern and regulate the practice of medicine by all our colleagues and all allegations whether in this particular instance of sexual assault or negligence or professional misconduct, the medical council seriously looked into it addresses them and we follow a, what the medical acts tells us to do and so from, and it's not from this person alone but I would want to tell the public that anybody who feels aggrieved by the practice of medicine by any physician in this country, we are going to seriously look into it. It doesn't matter what it is."
Cherisse Halsall:
"Sir, but given this present complaint that has been made, the council cannot shy away from its responsibility and say well let the police deal with it because this is first and foremost a professional matter, how do you respond?"
Dr Atanascio Cob
"Of course, did I in any way insinuate to you that we are shying away, no. We said that from the first day, we received the complaint we addressed it and we made sure that the allegations that was made against the physician were forwarded to the physician. He was asked to come to the council, whether in person, alone, in writing, or accompanied by his attorney."
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