Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health (MOH) and Environment Helen Royer has made it clear that while persons seeking medical attention will not be denied because of their inability to pay, those who are able to, will be required to pay up.
Royer, who was addressing a press conference on Wednesday at the MOH conference room, said gone are the days when patients simply announce that they are unable to meet their medical bills.
“We must be cognizant of the fact that nobody will be denied care because they cannot pay, but we will engage them and those who are be able to pay, ” she said. “So considering the challenges of meeting health care cost we have to look into accessing proper assessment of the patient.”
The Permanent Secretary stated that MOH is aware that there are those in society who are unable to pay their medical bills and the government absorbs that cost through a waiver system, but this new approach seeks to work with those who can afford to make payment through certain agreements.
As a result a Social Worker has been assigned to the hospital who is responsible to review people who seek medical care.
In addition insurance companies have been engaged and they have agreed to work with the Ministry of Health, according to Royer, who added that the whole idea of waivering has to be relooked.
“There are persons government will just have to waive because of their social and economic status and that is all right, but we know that some persons are able to pay us maybe through their insurance company,” she continued. “Because the fact remains that we have new machines but they come at a cost and nobody is happy when they go to the hospital and they are being told that the scan isn’t functional or the mammogram is not functional. When we are sick we want instant care but if we do not have mechanisms in place to keep them going, that can be a problem … we know some people can pay.”
Minister for Health and Environment, Dr. Kenneth Darroux who also gave his views on the matter, said health care financing is one of the goals that he would like to achieve before he makes his exit from political life.
“One of the things that I have started out, and I’m not sure how long I want to remain in politics, I want to maybe leave as one of my achievements as a minister is the whole issue of health care financing,” he noted. “People have to understand that it is something that has to be sustainable. Everybody wants optimal health care.”
He pointed out that when Dominicans go for health care services in the neighbouring French islands, they pay for it.
People above 60 and below 18 years of age are not required to pay for medical attention in Dominica.
From the Permanent Secretary’s message, one can infer that the government’s healthcare expenses far exceeds its budget and they are therefore now grasping at straws; BUT they put themselves in this situation in the first place. We need to establish if the Princess Margaret Hospital is a profit or non-profit organisation and act accordingly; not to win political favour but to operate in a cost effective manner. “People above 60 and below 18 years of age are not required to pay for medical attention in Dominica” yet the majority of people who utilises the hospital’s services are over 60. They require frequent tests which include x-rays, scans, long hospital stays, lab tests etc. Thousands of dollars are spent on the purchase of equipment, lab reagents etc.. YET free tests are done. Some children are covered under their parents’ insurance. Money can be reaped from that avenue as well. Many things needs to be addressed before the government goes around bashing people to pay bills.
In Dominican terms being unable to pay means having the longest nails, freshest weave, kfc every day, at every show and jam and the latest fashion but unemployed. Being able to pay means struggling with a mortgage, perhaps a car loan to take the kids to school, paying school fees, last perm 4 months ago and considering natural, struggling to meet the grocery bill but employed.
60yrs and above have no screening as to who can pay. ALL the 60yrs and above from USA, ENGLAND, and other foreign countries who lived there all the lives come back here to get free knee surgeries, eye operation and many other FREE OF CHARGE. this is NONSENSE. these people have no conscience. At least you stay out of your island for all these years. the least you could do is pay something back.
These people had better go and get their conscience because on Fire Day they will pay. then we want to have proper care at PMH. who is funding the FREENESS???????????? any institution who gives any thing FREE have to be funded by a fondation.
FREE meals, Free medicines, FREE bath water and these people still complain. “that is what they giving me at a hospital for breakfast?”
i saw a sign at Glover Ward to contribute on leaving. i wonder how many of them give a contribution.
That whole FREENESS was a political scheme and is still one.
I wonder how many people reading such ramblings understand your thoughts.
Are you suggesting that people living in the United States, and the more developed countries of the world will return; or, has returned to a place like Dominica to seek medical treatment, such as eye, and knee surgery?
If that is what you are contending, please respond with one single word: “yes!” Anybody who would jeopardize their life to go to Dominica, in order to allow some Cuban or Dominica quack to operate on their eye, or knee would have to be a fool; nobody with intelligence would submit themselves to such quackery!
In the event the expertise existed in Dominica, why do the ministers of government runs out of the country each time they have a headache to get some aspirin to treat their headache.
Note: a headache will not kill a person unless they the headache is caused by an undected a brain tumor, or an aneurysm, or something similar in the brain!
“caused by an undected”
I actually meant ” undetected.”
U ARE THE ONLY ONE WHO CANT UNDERSTAND Cause u think you have all the fluent speak. u now prove that u are the one rambling. the news clip was referring to dominicans. therefore MY clip is still in context to our dominicans living abroad. stop crying down your country. there are alot of surgeries being done on island every week. HOW MANY DEATHS HAVE YOU HEARD???????????????????
When persons have the ability and finance to have a choice of where they would like their surgery done they make that choice. this doesnt mean that our services are POOR.
i have PROOF that ALOT of dominicans who live abroad ARE RETURNING here to have free surgery.
For the future, when a child is born, if the parents can afford it, they should take out insurance policies combined with health insurance coverage for them. When they attain adulthood and hopefully are employed, they could contribute to these coverage. There is a certain degree of peace of mind in having them. Hopefully, the day will come when D/ca will have national coverage for especially those who cannot afford it and are also the working poor.
The MOH could perform a credit report check to get pertinent information. If they are employed, this information with income could also be obtained from their employer. Some may own homes, especially the modern ones which cost a good sum.. I hope these could afford to pay for their medical treatment.
However, Insurance is not guaranteed, in that they can go out of business and leave their customers standing in awe. I had that experience in 1974, when I was leaving Dominica. That Insurance Company simply said to me, like God’s speed; but we don’t owe you anything
Nonetheless, the Government should institute a Health Insurance Plan, as people would pay through employment, depending on their wages –this money is paid through income tax credit at income tax time–that would mean refunds would be lower–if one is due.
And so everyone–whether they contributed to the Government Health Insurance or not–has the right to get medical service and not worry about payment–because it is done through employment income.
“Depending on their income” means the low income people must be considered. I don’t see how our country can rise, if the Government has to simply give money for this; for that; and the other thing–without replacement of that money–impossible!
Stuppessssss who has money in this country? People can only when they are gainfully employed and decently paid.Most Dominicans are not in this category, except some of our greedy leaders.
That lady there … smh. Who told PM that lady is the brain for MOH. Ashame., you talking … Madam the Cashier at PMH is always closed after 5pm and that is the time when ppl go to A/E to get services (including diagnostic) for nothing. Secondly; what system do you have in place (computer, medical billing software, electronic records) to track upstanding bills. What are the waiver criteria to be used by the Social Worker? I will see all her/his friends and family first in line, same way i see you all in MOH walking with waivers. Good luck; your time in office can not be forever; otherwise…
You forgot the good old effective telephone. Once it is operable, it does a good job and fast enough.
Those who can afford to pay should pay. We have this impression in Dominica that the government has deep pockets and can afford everything people wants. To exempt under 18 and over 60 from paying medical cost is total stupidity however well meaning. Many people in Dominica over the age of 60 can afford to pay for their medical bills these include retirees, business owners and those over 60 still working. There are many in Dominica who draw a pension and also receive social security benifits many of them getting more money than when they were working, to exempt this group of people from paying because they have reached 60 years is just plain stupid. Children under 18 with parents who can afford should not be exempted. But again if you give people the option not to pay 110% of them will not pay even if they can afford it.
There should be an exemption for some of those who attained 60 years. Those who can afford to pay should be required to pay.
You want to get tough on medical bill payments and not on the state of our health care?! You have to sit in casualty for hours until a nurse comes to assess you. The doctors prescribe medication and the hospital is always out of it. I think our health care is ridiculous regardless of what party you support. We should all take a stand and demand better. It might be you lying up there and have no tissue paper to wipe your anus.
Dominicans need to get away from the idea of any thing free , take two.if you can,t pay in full . pay $20.00 a month.if you have no mines of paying at all I agree.the system is up side down.if some one in dominica is 60years and above and have a million dollars in scotia bank in Roseau they should pay their hospital bill. every peace of equipment in a hospital is a millon dollars.every part for repairs is 500,000.if we want and love good things in d/ca.some body has to pay for it, or our pm will be a begger for life.
I think you meant “means” and “piece”.
The money has to come from somewhere. Then some, with their narrow-mindedness, will criticize and complain the PM is traveling and begging.
60yrs and above have no screening as to who can pay. ALL the 60yrs and above from USA, ENGLAND, and other foreign countries who lived there all the lives come back here to get free knee surgeries, eye operation and many other FREE OF CHARGE. this is NONSENSE. these people have no conscience. At least you stay out of your island for all these years. the least you could do is pay something back.
These people had better go and get their conscience because on Fire Day they will pay. then we want to have proper care at PMH. who is funding the FREENESS???????????? any institution who gives any thing FREE have to be funded by a fondation.
FREE meals, Free medicines, FREE bath water and these people still complain. “that is what they giving me at a hospital for breakfast?”
i saw a sign at Glover Ward to contribute on leaving. i wonder how many of them give a contribution.
That whole FREENESS was a political scheme and is still one.
some people just wicked.Let them pay. I am paying mine every month.One day it will finish.
I am in total agreement with the Permanent Secretary people need to pay their medical bills or the Insurance company needs to pay up. we all sit and bla bla our mouth we are aware of the limitations, but by paying the bills we can purchase more up to date machines to give our people excellent customer service and most of all good health care.
It is one thing to talk sweet sounding nonsense simply to be heard!
I doubt anybody would expect within reason would suggest that medical treatment should be totally free. The point it is not economically feasible for more than eighty percent of the people between the ages of 18 and 60 years old to pay.
As I said, someone is born, never held a job, never earn a pay cheque, now that agriculture is no longer a paying industry, where is the majority of people going to find the money to pay for medical services? You talk about insurance, and pay; don’t you know an insurance company can only pay someone medical bills only id the person is insured with that company, and maintains the premiums. The day the policy lapses, that the day the person may get ill.
It is one thing to make demands of people, nevertheless, We have never seen water, nor blood flow out of a stone: Where are the jobs, that should be provided by the Government? Work comes first!
DNO only reporting bad news, what about the back pay our beloved pm giving the public service, report on that.
boyyyy the words i would use to describe allu….but dno wont post my comment if i do……smh beloved pm D*mA$%
“People above 60 and below 18 years of age are not required to pay for medical attention in Dominica.”
Here is the problem, just because someone is between the age of eighteen and sixty years old does not mean they have the ability or means to pay for medical care. One may well be between the age of 18 and 60, however has never held a paying job one day in their entire life in the country!
So, your argument is rubbish. We had a situation where a student bashed a teachers head in school, this man did not have the resources to pay for a head x-Ray: (we are talking about a school teacher here). The man is a working poor, gets paid every month, yet he did not have four hundred dollars saved!
We spend thirty million plus dollars to buy an election, now you talking crap about the poor must pay up? That $30,000,000.00 should be reserved to treat the poor!
Francois .T you have said it all ,some people think that because they are in a certain position they have more head to speak crap,,age does not make you more liable or not to pay for medical treatment,,,you need people’s vote every year ,give them medical treatment free,end off..
I heard of the story of that man. Be compassionate. He probably has a family to take care of. I bet he probably is not the only with such a position in the US who does not have health and insurance coverage.
He is working. Surely the School Board should have a group insurance.
Some children lack discipline and respect. He should get the parents of that child to pay his medical bills. I hope he sued.
I will never comprehend, for a place as the US it does not have free national healthcare. Obama tried to establish HHS mandate. He has some problems with that. Previous US Presidents tried and they were unsuccessful.
Facts, you need to get the facts of the matter before you make comments that are not altogether correct. The problem which you hope exists with the Affordable Care (Obama Care as they say), is one which only exists in the mind of the Republicans only; who plays politics with peoples life’s, okay!
There is a report which Al Sharpton spoke about yesterday which proves that Seventeen (17,000,000.00) million Americans who had no insurance prior to the implementation of the Affordable Care Act as of yesterday now have insurance. And that is in addition to the millions who’s medical insurance comes through medicare, or medical!
There were people on Television yesterday on the same program who said without Obama care they would die before their name got on the list for a heart transplant.
Have you heard of medicare and medicaid? One is for the poor the other for the old
“Have you heard of medicare and medicaid? One is for the poor the other for the old”
Actually anybody can have both, assuming you retire at age sixty-five you can have both, nevertheless, depending on the amount of retirement money. Medicare will pay 80% of your medical bills. Medicaid formally “medical” should pay the remaining 20%.
Nevertheless, depending on the amount of retirement money you are receiving at the end of the month, Medicaid will only pay after you can prove a certain amount of out of pocket money spent, by the insured; the system is set up that way.
If you are a person who did not contribute very much into the system, and your social security cheque is between eight hundred, and a thousand dollars per month, your total medical expenses are paid by the system, whether it is one dollar, or many millions of dollars!
The country eh nice noh boy! Tings tight like titus
. Allu still like allu PM noh? Allu still very happy noh? 
! Until we as a people can remove our heads from the political abyss and stop patronizing politicians instead of putting country first we are doomed to fail as a nation. Future generations will find it very hard to forgive us for being so politically naive and self centered. If we have no money for the healthcare of the citizenry then how are we going to build the Marigot hospital?
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
@ Shaka Zulu:
Let’s not throw out the baby with the bath-water. Even if the Prime Minister in his naivete tried to implement social programs that were not sustainable(your words), there is still a need for the State to be responsible in its provision of health care. These days health care is not just tending to the sick, it is a business as well. As PS Royer said, if Dominica is to be on par with the rest of the world in terms of modern, state of the art equipment, the money has to come from somewhere to upkeep the machines. Because sensitive machines need constant maintenance and maintenance takes money.
Let’s not wag our tongues for every issue; instead let’s get on board with good ideas and in turn, encourage our friends/families/co-workers to get their health insurance in order.
Dominica is one of the few countries I’ve visited where there is not a mandatory health insurance system in place for its work-force.
@ amarossa I agree with you mostly, however we have created a culture of dependence and then we talk about government obligation to the poor. Government obligation is to make sure that people have jobs, there is production and growth. Government obligations is to ensure citizens can afford to buy their own toilet, build their own hotels and maintain infrastructure so they can serve people. Is that happening? No. Example. My brother teaching 10 years cannot get approval from bank to build home. You young and don’t work gov give you a house. Meanwhile no progress for working man. The best way to help poor is to make sure the country is productive. We now have Robin hood policy. My point is not that the PS is wrong. The point is our Government and system by its modus operandi creates those problems and use the poor to justify its stupidity. Its great politics but horrible leadership. We need to do what is right and practical and all will fall in place.
Let’s stop trying to cover up the root of the problem with bandages and cut off the bad habits that causes the problem. Those incharge seems to come and blame the lack of people (public) not paying for the financial problems. It is not just the ministry of health. It is public works, its agriculture, its everywhere. If people don’t wag their tounges on issues that matter we will continue to be taken for a ride of inefficiency, mediocrity, and incompetence.
Ok, so how are you going to decide who can and cannot pay when there is no money in the damn country. Even those who have decent jobs (except ministers, “the boys” and DLP stallwarts) can barely put food on their tables due to the high cost of living and lack of decent paying jobs. When one person in Dca hold a job he now has to carry the whole family (uncle, paweh, parbondah, uncle, comper, nenen, feeyel etc) on their little salary.
Those in the diaspora are trying their best to help the ones at home but they too have bills. So what? Allu want them to pay family medical bills too? I guess when next election roll around you all will forgive all medical bills/ debt owing to the hospital….MAY-CHANCE-STAY (wicked)!!!!!! Man stop allu nonsense and let people get their health care as is right now because those that “can” pay are already paying. What happen to all the passport money?
Assertive, NOT Aggressive!
Social/welfare state on Venezuela purse. What do you all expect? Everything cost money. Now you guys after people to pay up. Be honest with y’all selves as professionals and tell the PM his social programs are unsustainable. You want to build state of art hospital and one in MARIGOT. Increase complexity generally means increase cost. The complaint here seems to me that healthcare budget is tight. You guys are a complete waste of time. Honesty is still the best policy.