Dominica records high rates of hypertension, obesity and diabetes

Dr. David Johnson is Chief Medical Officer
Dr. David Johnson is Chief Medical Officer

Chief Medical Officer, Dr. David Johnson, has expressed concerns over the high rate of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes in Dominica.

Addressing the official launch of the Caribbean Wellness Month held on Saturday, September 10, 2016, he revealed some frightening statistics of the diseases on the island.

“Records show that one in every four persons attending clinics are suffering from hypertension and one in very five persons at those clinics are suffering from diabetes,” he stated.

He noted that it means if there are 20 persons at the clinic, five of them are suffering from hypertension and four out of the 20 from diabetes.

Dr. Johnson also stated that obesity has become a serious problem in Dominica and there is a rise in childhood obesity.

According to him, statistics reveal that over ten percent of children within the age range of 0 to five is suffering from the disease.

“One out of ten children under the age of five are suffering from obesity,” he noted.

Dr. Johnson took the opportunity to speak to women about cancer, especially cervical cancer. He encouraged all women to do a pap smear, which can be done by any doctor or nurse around the island.

“If our ladies do their pap smear regularly, then the signs of cervical cancer can be detected and treatment can be done on time…” he noted.

He also noted mammograms, to detect breast cancer, can be done and the Princess Margaret Hospital.

Dr. Johnson encouraged women to do self-breast examinations regularly and see a doctor or nurse for advice if they find something strange.

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101 Comments

  1. CMO, more like Chief Puppet Officer
    September 13, 2016

    So this is the best that this puppet CMO can say? WE ARE A NATURE ISLAND. Nature islands are healthy and very good for all others having bad health and diets to visit.

    Now what he is saying for the whole world to hear is that Dominica IS NOT a healthy island. That is because its inhabitants have high blood pressure and diabetes which are associated with very bad diets and are very fat, which is again associated with very bad diets.

    Where did we go from a NATURE ISLAND full of good food and healthy inhabitants to an island full of fat unhealthy people? Perhaps the advent of ‘modern’ living – pesticides, processed/ junk food, additives in of food and personal products, the poisoning of our air by various aerosol dispersals from aircraft?

    Do some research yourselves on this folks and you will find out exactly what the puppet CHO is not telling you which is that we are being deliberately CULLED out. Not a coincidence that Zika tells us now not to get pregnant!! Work it out!

    • zandoli
      September 14, 2016

      What a load of rubbish.
      There is always a conspiracy theorist in our midst.

      • Paul Jumo
        September 16, 2016

        Go to the ATCC website. You will see the zika virus there for sale. It is described as being engineered in 1947 from the blood of monkeys in Uganda. How’s that for a ‘conspiracy’.

        I guess your head has already shrunk quite a lot as you appear to be far to stupid to see the obvious which is what the CMO poster has explained to us.

      • No Visa Free Travel for Infected Dominicans
        September 21, 2016

        You are right, Dominica is a horrible place to be. The CMO is totally right.

        Our residents are sick and fat through their own fault, so they only have themselves to blame for that. Therefore, it is totally understandable why as a nature island, Dominica must be given a wide berth by anyone who does not want the same fate of fatness, diabetes, high blood pressure, amputated legs, etc..

        The CMO must be petitioned to immediately inform travel agencies worldwide that Dominica is a sick place and visitors come at their own risk.

        Furthermore, he must warn other countries that Dominicans are, according to him are rabidly infested with Zika, Dengue and the new upcoming Yellow Fever virus all of which are borne by mosquitoes of which they is abundance in our nature island.

        Sadly, it seems that our afflictions are all part of the price we must pay for living in our beautiful, healthy country with some of the best and natural food you can find anywhere on earth.

  2. shay
    September 13, 2016

    This is no surprise. All these fat girls walking around in poorly tight fitting clothes talking about they are sexy and thick rather than educating themselves on health to find out what the correct weight for their age and height suppose to be. smh.

    • FED UP
      September 13, 2016

      “Thickers” is their way of justifying their fat!

      • shay
        September 13, 2016

        Exactly…smh

      • Fat Dominican Wife
        September 21, 2016

        Please keep this civil. My wife is a plus size lady and we have nine healthy kids which is testimony to the fact that she is a healthy and charming Dominican woman.

        You use a lot of strange words in your post and I will take this as disrespect. Please desist

    • Mama Zalousi
      September 14, 2016

      My daughter is very fat and likes it that way – be careful my friend.

  3. Been there done that
    September 13, 2016

    People all of the so called deceases is a manifestation of deeper social, economic and psychological issues, the main culprit being eating unhealthy foods and exercise deficiency. Addressing NCDs can be dealt with successfully by taking one product: MORINGA OLEIFERA an excellent appetite suppressant while at the same time providing energy, and helps in normalizing high blood pressure, cholesterol and diabetes. Its a natural product and its available in powder form in all of the supermarkets and drug stores. The leaf powder is the best way to take it.

    • Mama Zalousi
      September 14, 2016

      Won’t cure diabetes and HBP – these we get from our parents who got it before us from being poisoned by the NWO and their slaves.

    • zandoli
      September 14, 2016

      They said the same thing about Noni. More rubbish

  4. country man
    September 12, 2016

    WIth all the nature, local fruits and vegetables and fresh water we find ourselves in such a predicament. These diseases are a burden to society and we must encourage people to walk more (take on WNT), work the land more, sewo less (minimize alcohol consumption) , play more community sports, take up swimming. My teenage years in the 80’s and 90’s you could hardly find an overweight person. We need to watch this sedentary lifestyle we are gravitating towards. Get standing desk and computers for the office – get off our backside!!

  5. What
    September 12, 2016

    How about Zero duty on health foods, and high duty on unhealthy foods. I was once charged 40% duty on a bag of raw nuts, while people getting mac n cheeze for cheap. Madness.

    • Tjebe fort
      September 14, 2016

      That is because Govt. doesn’t want you to bring your own nuts. You must eat Skerrit’s nuts.

  6. Erickson
    September 12, 2016

    I would like to suggest to the Chief Medical Officer that he should get this program called CHIP (Complete Health Improvement Program) run in Dominica. It can be run as a test or pilot program, but once the results are evident, he can make CHIP an integral part of the strategy to combat the rise in those non-communicable diseases in the country. People all over the world are experiencing success through CHIP. Right now, I am running one here in Australia, and I would be happy to run one in Dominica. Here are a few videos to watch:
    https://vimeo.com/76105408; https://vimeo.com/128105590; https://vimeo.com/69057144;
    This is not just about people in other countries; the success can be ours in Dominica if we invest in it.

    • CMO, more like Chief Puppet Officer
      September 13, 2016

      CHIP won’t cure diabetes and HBP – these are inherited diseases as you well know. We all know why Dominicans have become so unhealthy. Australians are not very healthy either – rampant cancer of all types, HPP, diabetes, various diseases from ticks and mosquitoes, ADD, dementia, Parkinsons. The list goes on.

      Save your bleating and do your research to find out why we are world-wide becoming so unhealthy.

      • Erickson
        September 13, 2016

        Have you visited the website? Have you watched the videos? Do that first; then comment again. https://vimeo.com/128105590 – Philippines, 3rd world like ours
        USA – Ist world.
        The success stories are worldwide, Sir (whom I respect)!! That’s not bleating; that’s sharing real life stories. You can’t argue when someone says, “This is how my life was, and this is how I am today because of so and so!”

    • Mama Zalousi
      September 14, 2016

      Please stop this stupid ‘bleating’. You sound just like the fake ‘saint’ Teresa of the Vatican coffers :D

      • Erickson
        September 14, 2016

        What does that mean? What is so unpleasant about asking you to watch a video that shows you what you don’t know. What are you afraid of? I don’t understand? You prefer NOT to KNOW!! Oh boy! Sad!! Watch the video! Challenge yourself. Watch them. Please. I beg you.

  7. %
    September 12, 2016

    And some high schools are going up to 2.00pm now…Go check what the children are consuming…!!!!It’s a huge time bomb that has not even exploded yet.

  8. September 12, 2016

    Fat obese gross women all over the place “letting it all hang out”. I dread going to carnival to see some of those sight. Have you not noticed when we see the other island carnival the young ladies are nice and slim, but during our carnival oh boy, the tourist must have a good laugh at our expense. Its quite simple Dominicans are always eating. Stop eating those disgusting boxed mac and cheese with vianna sausage, which seem to be the staple diet for so many of us. Instead eat more fresh vegetables and fruits,less box drink. I see mothers giving their babies box drink instead of fresh home made juice. Its pure and simple we are just lazy and in the meantime getting obese. Ladies please do me a favor cover up those huge bellies please. Wear something loose and cut down on the junk food which arrives here in the barrels.

  9. Nurse
    September 12, 2016

    Yes we know there\’s a high number of patients with hypertension but are your hospital emergency rooms ready to initiate stroke protocols . Time is of the essence immediately after a stroke. Teach patients the early warning signs now and set up medical homes to concentrate on health maintenance. I live in NY and don\’t eat fast food. We have lots of fruits and natural food. Get the people to plant and eat vegetables. Exercise is great also get moving more. Walk the walk. There is alot to be done and it can be done. Good luck.

  10. The Calabash
    September 12, 2016

    I also agree with Amanda….for goodness sake please get back to eating what we grow. Set aside the ribs, meats, imported cereals, fried and other process foods….much of which is not affordable.
    We are buying ourselves to death, instead of planting ourselves to health. We are poorer by being fatter.

  11. The Calabash
    September 12, 2016

    That is such a sad situation. For those of us who grew up there in the 70s and migrated, this is the most obvious and discouraging thing to see on return. When I complained strenuously about a fashion show featuring very large women many took me to task. However, I have no issues with individual fat persons and no one should be made to feel bad about themselves. However, when such a high rate of societal obesity exist, then it is a health and social crisis. It is crazy to see the weight and deformity of so many today……A condition that did not exist a short couple of decades ago. In a country with such poor health care systems, this is a looming disaster.

  12. Dominican away
    September 12, 2016

    I am a Dominican living Miami, I visited Dominica 2years ago and I got a lot of negative comments about my size, I was told I need to put on weight, I am very health conscious I try to eat right and work out a lot, I was disappointed when I saw some or my friends I tried to educate on healthy living but they laughed at me. I really would like to help.

  13. Way to go!
    September 12, 2016

    The schools with the more affluent parents have the father children! Go figure!

    • Me
      September 12, 2016

      Sory, but can’t make sense of this. What do you really mean to say?

    • rowrowbaby
      September 12, 2016

      Your point

  14. LifeandDeath
    September 12, 2016

    Important Statistics but everybody still waiting to hear the reasons behind the obesity and alarming rate of hypertension, diabetes etc..
    Well it is clear that increased imports and consumption of processed foods seem to have a direct positive correlation with how heavy Dominicans get..Plus the sedentary lifestyle of our young and old complement the negative effects of consuming those foods.
    More Dominicans take on office jobs nowadays as opposed to outdoor physical labour, farming, construction etc..,plus drive to and from work, they don’t even care to walk to visit their neighbors, as their down time is spent seated watching TV or browsing the net etc..
    So Dominicans each have to take responsibility to preserve their own health and that of their families..first reduce on intake of the processed foods and secondly keep more active through exercise and outdoor activities..notice the houses getting bigger nowadays too so more time spent indoors..

  15. john wallace
    September 12, 2016

    Wasn’t he the said man that said don’t worry about the Zika Virus a few months ago. I just have to question this man every time he opens his mouth.

    • CMO, more like Chief Puppet Officer
      September 13, 2016

      He is a total . Only a fool would say this about Dominicans.

      At a time when our tourist trade is suffering very badly because of Zika, he now tells the whole world that Dominica and Dominicans are not only Zika- infested, by very, very sick. Furthermore, he tells us to suck salt by implying that this kind of ill health is our fault!

      At the age of 19, I was as thin as a bone and had high blood pressure – inherited from my parents. Now can he explain that?

  16. Dr
    September 12, 2016

    David…….what do you expect when most of the emphasis is on pig farms, abattoir, kfc,rums, kubuli and the rest of the contributors? 8-O ….and, do you know about a place called La Plaine? :lol: :lol:

  17. Music Producer
    September 12, 2016

    People suffer for lack of knowledge. In the abundance of water; a fool is thirsty. Dominica contains all the herbs, fruit and vegetables that can heal each one but the population keeps rejecting the fact that the Rastaman was right then, and is still right now; go back to the earth, all your meds are already in your foods, live up-fully and right. The people still die for want of wisdom.

  18. pal-lotte
    September 12, 2016

    I smiled when I saw this POST on DNO because the next post after this one the lady: the education boss looking well rosy….

    • FED UP
      September 12, 2016

      LOL- I thought the same thing.

    • Tell the Facts
      September 12, 2016

      For some, it could be a glandular problem. It could also be a thyroid problem. Some people who have the latter could either lose or gain weight.

  19. MD
    September 12, 2016

    Dominica was successful in significantly reducing malnutrition called Kwashiorkor and Marasmus because of insufficient eating of protein and vitamins. Obesity is another form of malnutrition when too much calories are consumed mostly carbohydrates and fats. We have to eat a balance diet with smaller portion sizes. We need dieticians in each health district. We nèed Physical therapist in each health district. Paid job positions are needed for them too. Also we need more financial support for the services already in place for the NCDs. We know we have an epidemic. For God Sake STOP all those speeches and provide the services. Oh a new hospital is not going to solve this problem. We need more health boots on the ground in every community. We can do this.

  20. Mein Kampf
    September 12, 2016

    Skerrit cause that, he making the country harder and it affecting people health. Only passports he selling.

    • D/can to de Bone (F)
      September 12, 2016

      Your comment is rubbish . You seems to b a political boom boom fly. I won der if you have contributed to the development of your country… travel a u will learn to be broad minded and literate..

    • Seriously
      September 12, 2016

      Lolol. You just gotta laugh at these comments. Smh

    • Tjebe fort
      September 13, 2016

      But he himself not looking healthy again, well gonflay.

    • Tell the Facts
      September 13, 2016

      Do you really need a response or are you waiting for one? You are a joker. Is the PM responsible for what people eat?
      Whether they are poor, well-to-do or rich, they could eat healthily. Furthermore, those who have a piece of land or space in their yard could grow vegetables. If only they would commence doing so when younger, they could also grow some fruit trees.
      In most cases, poor eating habits, not taking care of oneself especially as a adult, could cause these illnesses.

  21. Pure Possie
    September 12, 2016

    I hope members of the health department whether they are permanent secretaries, Chief Medical Officer, nurses, doctors etc. are not part of the high rate of hypertension, obesity, and diabetes in Dominica the officer is very concerned about.
    The disease is bad enough but when those that supposed to lead the fight against it are very fat and unhealthy, sure hurts more

    • CMO, more like Chief Puppet Officer
      September 13, 2016

      Isn’t our Cabinet of Ministers rather fat? Hmmnnnn :)

    • Tell the Facts
      September 13, 2016

      I doubt if there is one adult who, through the years did not gain weight. It does not mean they eat a lot.
      When they gain weight it is difficult to take it off. There is a tendency to gain weight as they get older. Hopefully, the majority are healthy.

  22. Sista
    September 12, 2016

    Dr. what is the Ministry of Health doing or going to do about it.
    Where is the plan? Where is the strategy?
    Are you all depending on the state of the art hospital?
    Incompetent government!!!!!

  23. “He noted that it means if there are 20 persons at the clinic, five of them are suffering from hypertension and four out of the 2o from diabetes.”

    Any student leaving kindergarten can calculate that man!

    The concentration should be what is the resolve? We know scientifically, and medically, the cause of hypertension is not actually known, though it is easily treated. However, we know for a fact environmental, and life stressors presents a situation that triggers hypertension. Once it is diagnosed, it cannot be cured, but it is treatable.

    In regards to diabetes, it is more a heredity disease; and since in-breading is a common thing in Dominica, that might be the reason it is actually nation wide affecting entire families. Obesity on the other hand can be blamed to a great extent on poor diet, and in a poverty stricken place like Dominica, that is anticipated!

    • Continue:

      In a country where people are born, never held a paying job, living on bits of crumb, while they watch the politicians get into politics, and in less than five years, they own more than one over a million dollar prosperities, and SUV, and other motor vehicles.

      They want the same which is out of their reach, that sort of wants causes high stress, which may cause blood pressure to rise. Give people a chance to work and earn money, giving them the same spending power like the politicians, and we should see blood pressure, and obesity spiral down.

      Bad governance, corruption and thievery by politicians are the major cause of this constant depression in the population, everybody desires the same thing, but in Dominica a minority of people with political connection enjoys the good life whiles the majority sinks into poverty each day, that is the major cause of the diseases you are talking about, and you know it!

      It does not take a rocket scientist to figure that out;…

    • LifeandDeath
      September 12, 2016

      Francisco you sound like you could be the CMO right, but why insult Dominicans of inbreeding without any fact..That’s really serious and weird..

      • The fact is I am a product of in-breading okay!

        And there is nothing wrong with that except when it becomes incest, that is when it gets between brother, and sister, or father, and daughter, mother, and son which I do not know occurred widely except in at lease two specific cases I am aware of.

        I know a man who have a son with his daughter, and I know of a brother who have a child with his sister. And here is a shocker: I know some people in Dominica brothers and sisters who screwed the hell out of each other, they at the time were followers of Jehovah Wittiness, they even attempted to get married around 1959,by their religion, the law however, prohibited the act.

        Nevertheless, all over Dominica it is a fact that cousins are married to cousins, and some even have children out of wedlock too. Know your nation history, so that you will not have to talk nonsense about comments without facts, I am proof of to the fact.

        If if you going to say shame on me father and mother, cry…

      • Before you cay shame on me parents, perhaps you need to cry shame of the British Monarchy, the “Royal Families” I talking about the family of queen Elizabeth. And then Go and with king Solomon who allowed marriage between his sons and daughters!

    • Gary
      September 14, 2016

      Wow, why such foolish statement, quote “We know scientifically, and medically, the cause of hypertension is not actually known, though it is easily treated”such statement goes against against all logic and reason, such foolishness can only come from an imbecile person.Why use ignorance to defend a belief, you display no authority on the subject matter, get out from that CAGE mentality, pity you.

      • Gary, you are always sounding off, well since you like to babble, humiliate me by telling the world what you know cause both hypertension, and hypotension!

        Show your medical and scientific smarts let’s see how much yo know.

        Guy you are nothing more than a little weasel who’s ambition in life is to simply grab on to floating straws, in an overflowing river; you are dumb, and so shall you remain for the rest of your miserable life. Which medical school have you attended, how many classes in Health Science have taken?

        I can tell you how many I took, from the lecture to the last day when I dropped out, so I know what I am talking about. In Dominica you all know everything yet you are exists misery behind the times!

        Just shout you mouth, because what I am talking about your mind is to inferior to beginning to understand, if a Dominica doctor tells such and such cause high, or low blood pressure, call him/her an idiot, as a matter of fact ask the doctor, as I am asking you…

      • Continue:

        As a matter of fact ask the doctor, as I am asking you what research have you done, to come to your stupid conclusion. I you have not done any research personally, maybe you can direct me to the medical journal you read about the cause of high blood pressure. I would not be surprised you have a cure also!

        “I can tell you how many I took, from the lecture to the last day when I dropped out, so I know what I am talking about. In Dominica you all know everything yet you are exists misery behind the times!”(FE-DT).

        That should read: ” I can tell you how many I took from the very first lecture, to the last day I dropped out.”

        “In Dominica you all know everything yet you are exists misery behind the times!”(FE-DT). That sentence should read “In Dominica you all know everything, yet you exists in misery behind the times.

  24. amanda
    September 12, 2016

    Most people waiting for barrel food. What are we eating? when is the last time you had had a broth with fresh fish?or the best:yam babawolee…… or just make a cook-up with vegetables and coconut milk?. What you eat is what you become. Stop eating food that contains artificial color, artificial flavours, sucrose, fructose, what do you think happens to the preservatives?to food that is processed, food with preservatives, when you eat food with preservatives what do y. Nothing is better that some banana/cocoy in a broth. Avoid GM food that is not healthy.

    • “or the best:yam babawolee…… or just make a cook-up with vegetables and coconut milk?. ”

      In as much as you like that sort of dish, it is one that will kill you it is part of the problem; because the yams in question are all are very starchy, coconut milk commonly call coconut water when prepared that way is nothing more than an artery clogger, it produces high cholesterol.

      And in a place where heart, diabetes, and obesity, and hypertension is common such food should be avoided!

    • jonathan st jean
      September 13, 2016

      It must also be said that despite the fact that we should be eating more of the things we grow,lifestyles have changed and this is a big contributing factor.In addition the truth must be told that Dominicans do consume a diet high in carbohydrates( all the starchy foods like dasheen,bread etc which do contribute to diabetes and other health problems.Therefore a more varied diet to include fruits,vegetables on a regular basis is required.Smaller portions is a great solution.Why isn’t the ministry of health having a sustained,comprehensive program to help tackle the problem.Lastly Dominicans consume too much alcoholic beverages.We need a multidisciplinary approach to solve these problems

  25. Jonathan St Jean
    September 12, 2016

    The Skerritt led government has failed the people of Dominica on the physical,emotional,financial,health,employnent aspects of national building.Why are they still there.Their conscience,if they have one,is in a coma.What will it take to make them realize they are unqualified and incapable of bringing the country forward

    • What do U think J st.J
      September 12, 2016

      ( U) sT.JEAN come home and run in ur village .We will have an agriculturist running the ministry instead of working in a greengrocery store in Philly.

      • anonymous
        September 12, 2016

        :lol: ah magwey ca :lol: :mrgreen:

      • jonathan st jean
        September 13, 2016

        What I think is that you are elitists.I don’t work for any green grocery but even if I did,since I understand the importance a green grocery plays such as adding value to agricultural products and making it more readily available to consumers,i would proudly work for one.Also you seem to think in your elitists mind that one has to run for a seat or hold a ministry to be of assistance to the development of your community.I don’t share that view.Take for example Colin Powell,ge did not run for anything yet he served his country very well.Charles Maynard was a trained lawyer,yet he was not attorney general.Broaden your intellect and your perspective on life and deal with the issue at hand.Under the Labour party government health care in Dominica is deplorable and getting worse.

  26. megso
    September 12, 2016

    “Records show that one in every four persons attending clinics are suffering from hypertension and one in very five persons at those clinics are suffering from diabetes,” he stated.

    He noted that it means if there are 20 persons at the clinic, five of them are suffering from hypertension and four out of the 2o from diabetes.

    The same records probably also show that 100% of the persons attending these same clinics have some sort of illness. So Dominica is one unhealthy country. So if there are 20 people in the clinics, then 20 of them are sick!!! Way too many.

    • weypapa/mama
      September 13, 2016

      Your \”records?\” :lol:

  27. troof
    September 12, 2016

    their excuse is, “so the man/woman like it”. then they go right back to stuffing their greasy faces. People here eat too much food. you dont need to have rice, pasta, potatoes, ground provisions, fig pie all on one plate on a regular basis.

    • troof
      September 13, 2016

      To add to it we no longer have a windsor park with multiple facilities for various sports and recreation. other local playing fields are not up to standard and very limited. In truth what happens to the funding that Sports division or Min of education and sports gets? where does it all go to? just paying administrative costs but no real development? i remember before there were sports clubs for track and field, football and basketball was regular around the island. so off course people will get fat.

  28. zandoli
    September 12, 2016

    As countries develop, there has been a general rise in these diseases. People need to be more aware of their health and do something to mitigate the effects of these diseases. My wife is diabetic, but she is very careful to manage her life.
    – She eats well (does not eat any type of processed food)
    – is physically active
    – Takes her medication as prescribed
    – Will not cut her toe nails herself – this is done by a podiatrist
    – For manicures, she will not allow the technician to cut toes nails, or use sharp objects on her feet.
    – Always wears shoes when she is outdoors or when she goes to the beach.
    – She attends to and treats all cuts immediately to avoid infections.
    – she sees her doctor regularly to monitor her health.

    If people follow these protocols, they should be able to live rather healthy lives without the problems associated with diabetes.

    • September 12, 2016

      Zandol,i tell her to get off that medication and eat more papaya, avocado, ginger , cinnamon, and many more food. The medication does nothing.Many people including me have brought down their sugar.I don’t take medication only the natural foods that can heal diabetes. Use your computer to check naturals cures. Green vegetables are very good.Cut off the cards to a certain extent

      • zandoli
        September 13, 2016

        @ Give

        Sorry mate, her sugar is completely within limits that are as good as those of non-diabetics. She will stick by her doctor’s advice.

    • Erickson
      September 12, 2016

      The truth, my dear friend, is that your wife that she doesn’t have to be on medication for the rest of her life. Watch this video. https://vimeo.com/128105590. You can also watch this one, which is a bit longer. https://vimeo.com/69057144

      • Paul Jumo
        September 16, 2016

        Please stop trying to sell Chips. Dominicans are stupid, I give you that, but they are not that stupid. Take Chips and shove it please. Thank you very much.

  29. September 12, 2016

    To much pizza and KFC please pleas bo back to the fish broth with refuced salt. it is better no fried or artificial processed foods go back to the herbs . Please look at the carnival photos pure hanging belliesvits ugly honestly mdn, women and children alike. Do something say something rise up and fight for yourselves.

    • Tjebe fort
      September 12, 2016

      People can’t afford to buy fish at $10/lb Popam. That is the price at the fish market and it is not always fresh believe me.

  30. Terence Hillbills (ex Mahaut, nor Oregon)
    September 12, 2016

    Right on cue – just from the lips of your masters at the CDC.

    So what’s the cause of all that big brains?

  31. free
    September 12, 2016

    STRESS STRESS!!! No money. No jobs. Persons cannot handle situations. It is hard in Dominica all that caused Pressure

    • D/can to de Bone(F)
      September 12, 2016

      You are talking rubbish sound illiterate . This is a problem in other countries including the USA and here in the UK. Dominican need to diet and exercise and be health conscious. Watch what they eat and what they give their children to eat .

      The Government(Minister of Health ) should have have health education for the young and elderly. School who have school feeding programmes( if it exist) should be giving student healthy food packages.
      All these sweet stuff vendors bring to sell outside school should be discouragde or educate the to sell healthy food to the students

      • D/can to de Bone(F)
        September 12, 2016

        Dominican should have regular doctor visit and dental checkup/. Maybe the price per visit is putting people off. very bad news fro my people . so many people have decayed teeth of missing teeth . Most cant not afford denture

        MR PM WE NEED A PROPER MEDICAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN DOMINICA TO MUCH TALK AND NO ACTION.

      • But you are the fool you know however you do not know it!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

      • You that Dominican; something seems to be wrong with you. You referred to someone as illiterate, and talking rubbish, by simply saying “stress, stress, no money, no job persons cannot handle situation; it is hard in Dominica, all that cause pressure.”(free)

        What the person meant by pressure in this case is absolutely stress, which is a bit different to pressure, since we cannot exists without a certain amount of blood pressure when normal is 120 mm Hg systolic, and 80 mm Hg diastolic that is 120/80. I will not give details; however, when it is found to be 140 mm Hg/90 mm Hg that could indicate major cardiovascular disease.

        That person is 100% correct when one does not have any money to spend, no job, that definitely causes stress, hypocritical as you are in the same breath have a message for Skerrit in the following:

        “MR PM WE NEED A PROPER MEDICAL HEALTH CARE SYSTEM IN DOMINICA TO MUCH TALK AND NO ACTION.” The reason health care stinks in Dominica is all due to poverty!

    • Jenn
      September 12, 2016

      I remember growing up in Dominica and only bought fish flour butter and rice.
      Sugar was cane juice
      Never ate salt
      Coconut oil made at home
      Milk from cows also made cream after scrapping the top and mixing it.
      Cereal was cassava or arrowroot
      Desserts were coconut tablet
      I fished the river for crayfish crabs viyuo and book.
      It was harder then but we made do
      Grew our own foods
      Stop complaining and do something about it

  32. FED UP
    September 12, 2016

    Just walk around the island (no one does that anymore) to see the size of our people – young and old. It’s a darn shame.

    • Channel 1
      September 12, 2016

      @FED UP – What is even more frightening is the obese sizes of a significant amount of young women in Dominica within the age ranges of 18-39/40. Becoming fat like hippopotamuses seems to be the latest ‘fashion’ trend among that demographic and even among males to an extent.

      How can one be growing up in a place like Dominica which naturally lends itself to an active lifestyle and be obese?

      Is it a case of plain laziness and people becoming more and more sedentary because they are wasting way too much time on social media platforms doing absolutely meaningless things such as minding other peoples business??

      • FED UP
        September 12, 2016

        Amen @Channel 1

  33. Dominican
    September 12, 2016

    When one sees the dearth of fresh produce on offer in our shops you begin to understand why our public health is in the state it is. Fresh produce, including local poultry, is expensive. People have little money an live off cheaper imported, processed foods instead, incl. soft drinks highly saturated with sugar and take outs. Don’t tell me that french fries are good for you! Go and look at the shelves in the average village store and you will see what I mean. This is what you would find in third world countries. Our diet is one of poverty and unbalanced.

    • September 12, 2016

      Everyone can have a back yard garden or plant on stands.They doh have to go to the shop.Grow it themselves.go fishing.Fish water is good.We were in DA for the summer and the boys went fishing every night.We coldest fresh fish every day if we wanted.Have you seen the line at KFC.I was shocked at the length of the line and the inside was jammed pack.Then I asked why? and they said it is fingerpicking good.So go figure

  34. History
    September 12, 2016

    Excuse me Dr. Johnson that has been know since you were in medical school in the 80’s.That’s during the Mamo /Reagan reign Dr.Ettiene had made this announcement. Gov’t nor citizens have acted. This is/was 36 years ago as old as our nation’s independence.

  35. Magreysa
    September 12, 2016

    what do you expect doctor when we fool our selves and think brouth ,sewo rum, is it? don’t you see we are screwed nutritionally, our life style is horrible our leaders are out of wack just name it. We as a nation- citizens , denizens too need to go bath in mal currents in our rivers lol! sounds better in creole-” allez benyen en mal current”

  36. Magreysa
    September 12, 2016

    what do you expect doctor when we fool our selves and think brouth ,sewo rum, is it? don’t you see we are screwed nutritionally, our life style is horrible our leaders are out of wack just name it. We as a nation- citizens , denizens too need to go bath in mal currents in our rivers lol!

  37. Magreysa
    September 12, 2016

    Looks like di doctor feeling the pain of the NCD phenomenon given his facial expression.
    Does he have one of them or just sad?

  38. I /everybody wanna know
    September 12, 2016

    This is clearly states the clear & current danger on island.
    Dr. Johnson failed to add STD’s etc. I often wonder with all this movement of people /globalization poverty as e pani travail encore ca yo ks fait por l’argent you John Charles buille’
    I recall during my years as a medical student many many,,many yes ago in in a Microbiology class, the professor stated that during the 15th century in Italy there were so many STDs there the only females who did not have the disease were the female statues. I wonder why he hit only on the women did not ask then.So, Dr. J give us the stats on that nuh!

  39. cameron
    September 12, 2016

    SAD TO SAY OUR PEOPLE HAVE BECOME LAZY AND GREEDY,WE SHOULD BE EATING WHAT WE GROW.but everyone like the processed foods,and blame many of the families that send them all these barrels,loaded with all the toxins.

    • Jenn
      September 12, 2016

      True, some don’t even know how to say thank you

  40. Whistler
    September 12, 2016

    well nothing surprising at all, Dominicans are generally not a conscious minded society.

    look at how the flock to KFC in droves, they eat and drink like there is no tomorrow!

    Dominicans lack good reason and completely unable to draw the line towards anything.

    The indicators are pointing directly to their society today, the ills that roam all over.
    Do Dominicans really care!..that’s (NO) they are massive pretenders of the truth in all
    Aspects….

    That’s why they’re the Poorest and Slowest economy in the OECS Block,unless Dominica and dominicans don’t clear up their hypocrite mindset, they will be DOOMED!!

    • Moche miel
      September 12, 2016

      That’s why they’re the Poorest and Slowest economy in the OECS Block,unless Dominica and dominicans don’t clear up their hypocrite mindset, they will be DOOMED!!
      Whistler U should substitute they will be DOOMED!! with we are already doomed
      Look at the individuals we have in gov’t ,opposition, radio educators, diplomats police officers just add urs readers u2 WHISTLER LOL we are screwed over x10 fold whistler.We even have legalistically challenged business people in exile running our air waves how much more eveil can this get? Gov’t supporters commiting acts and getting away former poor lawyers turn multimillionaire thru passport sales some making so much they turn investers and nearing billionaire status.soon they will fight as some who are nt in office making more than the actual politicians on the line and who take the blows.
      That will be the coup de grace.

  41. weypapa/mama
    September 12, 2016

    So, get rid of de Kent-Turkey Fries, de Chicken Chow-Mein, All dem restaurant food that\’s loaded wid Sodium – Put your Bu—–tt out and exercise a little, Sex tree X /day and see your Doctor once every 6 months. Excuse me!!! When I say your \”Doctor,\” I don\’t mean Dr. Punjarah!!!!!!

    • weypawhen/nenen
      September 12, 2016

      stop eat dog and don’t know u think is chow mein they eating more like dog mein.

  42. anon
    September 12, 2016

    stupes the country hard what all you expect buy the cheapest foods .sit home worry get fat get diabetes stupes a country doesn’t have to be so hard man…food expensive clothes expensive bills expensive living month to month stupes hate this place

    • Jenn
      September 12, 2016

      No. You can do something about it. Eat less salt, drink more water instead of juice, no need to buy sugar, and take a walk instead of driving all the time.
      Get off your ass, that helps to.
      When you can’t find a job create one, you can also grow your own food and stop complaining about the country hard.
      What are you gonna do to change it.

      • September 12, 2016

        we have a lot of fruits we can juice.Natural juice is the best.Be a juicer and yes drink lots of water

    • D/can to de Bone(F)
      September 12, 2016

      SOME OF YOUR COMMENT ARE TRUE BUT THE PEOPLE SHOULD MOTIVE THEMSELVES

      • Mama Zalousi
        September 14, 2016

        Give it to Them – natural juice is very bad for you. It is extremely high in sugar and will at least give you a very fat butt in due course.

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