CANCER DIAGNOSIS FORCES RETIREMENT OF WELL KNOWN VETERINARIAN

This afternoon people in the agriculture industry stopped to pay tribute to a man who has spent much of his career helping to shape and improve the standards and quality of products that we produce. We say tribute because Dr Michael DeShield has officially retired due to illness. He spoke with Love News following a farewell gathering at the Belize Agricultural Health Authority’s office on Saint Joseph Street in Belize City today.

Dr. Michael Deshield – Veterinarian
“I think the main thing is bringing people together and working with the industry. That is very important because we work for the industry, we work for the people Belize and we actually formed music group where they would tell us what their concerns are, we would express what our concerns are and we would come to some conclusion, I think that is one of the major achievement because if you don’t have that you would be working on your own little island, your own little kingdom and not knowing what the other person wants and the basic thing is to make sure that the food that these people produce is safe for exports and for nationals so I think that is the main things that we have achieved.

Marion Ali - Reporter
It is internationally recognized?

Dr. Michael Deshield – Veterinarian
It is internationally recognized, it is one of the things that people say BAHA is good at and it was really good to be a part of that with the staff.

Marion Ali - Reporter
It has been how long for you?

Dr. Michael Deshield – Veterinarian
“Well we started from the beginning, w\e were the ones who came up with the concepts and the ideas, it was like four of us, couple of them have moved on now so from 1997/98 we were thinking of these things here, 2000 is when BAHA came into being and we have been going ever since. I have been very ill; I am just enjoying Belize and life. I have been diagnosed with colorectal cancer which has spread to my liver and my lung but I am enjoying life and still contribute where I can.”

Many people will also remember Dr. DeShield for his contribution to animal health in Belize, offering veterinary services long with his wife, Miriam, at the Animal Medical Centre on Lancaster Street in Belize City.

LOVEFM

BAHA’s Farewell to Dr. Michael Deshield

Michael DeShield

Retirement from public service does not normally qualify an individual to be featured on the news. But in our records, Doctor Michael DeShield has been a staple in our newscast dating back as far as 1998. He has a long and impressive CV that looks like this. Since 98 to last year he was the Senior Veterinarian of the Animal Medical Centre which he also owns. DeShield served as Veterinary Investigation Officer in the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries from March 1996 to April 2000. And for the past eleven years and eight months, he has worked as the Technical Director Food Safety Services at Belize Agricultural Health Authority (BAHA). Today was Deshield’s last day on the job. He has been very ill in the past few years with cancer and though his condition is grave, but you wouldn’t know from the presentation he gave to the BAHA staff. His most potent message was for his colleagues to look after their health.

Dr. Miguel Figureoa, BAHA

“Dr. Deshield graduated with a degree in maternal medicine from the University of Queensland, Australia and completed a masters degree in tropical maternal medicine from the University of Edinburgh, Scotland. His thesis was on maternal drug residue in poultry.”

Michael DeShield, Retiring from BAHA

Miguel Figureoa

“I look around, very emotional; I look and see a lot of committed staff, committed to Belize, what we do that they neglect themselves. And we really have to factor our health; this is something I challenge you to do. We have good coverage, insurance. I’m the testimony to that or I wouldn’t be here. So I want you to make sure you look after your health. I see people really put their all into it and they can’t sustain that. We have lost from the BAHA family a very good person like Ms. Delilah said a fine mentor, a person you can easily approach and know that you are going to address whatever concerns we have. Thank you doc for the opportunity you have given us to be around you we feel so privileged to have had you around.”

At the end of the ceremony DeShield formally handed over his badge.

Channel 5