A young man, who has been asking for assistance for surgery to save his leg, will be receiving help from the government.
DNO was told that the government has approved funds to cover the surgery, which will cost $8,000.
Any additional funds collected will be used to cover his medication and post surgery rehabilitation costs.
Esprit’s life was miraculously spared after the vehicle he was driving plunged 100 feet into a precipice in Penrice in the early hours of March 14, 2015.
His girlfriend, Kimberly Joseph, told DNO that she received a phone call that Esprit had gotten into the accident on his way home from dropping off a friend in Belles after a cricket game in the area.
She said he lost control of the vehicle which went down the precipice.
He was eventually rescued by villagers who heard his cries for help.
“The accident took place at Penrice at about 2 am and they got him about minutes to 6 in the morning,” Joseph said. “I stayed up all night till it was about minutes to 5-6 and in the morning I got a call that he was in an accident and he was being rushed to the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).”
“It was really shocking,” she said.
Esprit, 23, is from Mahaut.
Joseph can be reached at 265-1699 or at account number, 304900 in the name of Kimberly Joseph at the National Cooperative Credit Union (NCCU).
thanks to the doctors and nurses who did every thing in their power to save my leg thanks to my mr blackmore WHO did his job to pay for the implant ……..to all the negative talk i did not hve to pay private doctor for any thing thanks to DR julian he did his best am walkin again
i am sure that the bulk of that amount is not government user fees per SE but rather that of unscrupulous private doctors` fees.
For your information, it is not private doctor’s fee, as far as I know the patient don’t have to pay a dime to the doctors or nurses, the cost for the metallic implant, and the money was to be paid to the Central Medical Store (a Government Institution). The same surgery costs $18 000,(eighteen thousand ) euros in Martinique or Guadalupe plus four thousand for the air ambulance. The government bought the materials for the operation of those injuries, and the money should be collected for the government to purchase more materials for the next patient.
DNO should explain the situation better.
only in you have insurance without that u have now chances. America do your research before commenting.
This government is a joke. They don’t care for poor Dominicans, except for votes.
Dominicans must beg them for everything humanly possible.
Its a set of old Toyotas rubbing this country so de gear box mash upp…
Look at hospitals
Look at police head quarters
Look at the fire stations esp the one in town
Look at the schools
Look at the roads
Look at playing fields
Look health centers
Count the number of rented houses in n around town be de government
Check de amount of rented houses rented as police stations
Look at the high cost of livin
Look at the lack of jobs
Look at the high crime rate
This country is going no where n will go no where until the Day Dominicans get smart.
Stop voting poor men n women in order to get filthy rich on u all. Instead of representing you all they helpin themdelves.
Big houses, huge bank accounts, nice life
Not forgetting Toyotas…..
This is Toyota country…
Pooor mon Dominique, no wonder u all immune system got n got cold…
Pou Poule and bed lice must have infested that guys leg in PMH….Did I say that??? Smh
I read so much nonsense here I don’t even know where to begin. First of all, the man was in an accident. This was an emergency. He should have received every piece of treatment he needed and then they could think of payment. Right now you have allowed bones, muscles and tendons to start healing the wrong way and then they will try to fix it. This is too late!! I do not see why people have to take stories to DNO for government to get involved! Aren’t there billing and social workers in the hospital to decide which cases are urgent? Your first priority is to the patient! We are all taxpayers in one way, shape or form.
And for those of you who think you know America, they will treat you and then bill you. American hospitals will never leave you untreated in case of an emergency. If it is not urgent and you do not have insurance they will not touch you but if you come in from an accident you will be well taken care of. Just wait on your hefty bill in the mail!!!
I’m not sure which America some of you people know. The America that I know will save your life and limbs no matter what the cost is. However, you do get a bill after. Get our facts right before puking lies. Congrats to this young man.
I was thinking the same thing like you, which America?, Because my husband and i were visiting for vacation and he fell sick. we went to the emergency room and they treated him with great urgency and they took care of him with no insurance etc, but they did send us our bill, So i don’t know which America they talking about.
And did you pay the bill or did you leave it for us to pay.That’s what every visitor do.
Yes you get a bill if you don’t pay you on collection agency in minutes.
It would be a good thing if they had a universal health care. Can one believe it that they do not have one? I cannot figure this out.
Obama has been trying to establish his HHS Mandate (which some people named Obamacare) for US citizens and landed residents, specifically for the less fortunate, he has come up with a lot of snags, political and otherwise. What a melee.
A few previous US governments tried to establish one. They were unsuccessful. It is a shame that the US does not have one. Dominica appears to be doing better than the US in this area.
If you are talking about americ’s ka ,that’s fine but not the USA ,just one example ,westley warren an american had the biggest testicle for years ,he was begging on the streets with a box in his hands to place his testicles on while resting ,for financial help to pay the gov’t to have surgery,only after a documentary was made to show the world his problem ,the gov’t finally gave him a help ,,,but died not very long after….as a matter of fact one vote counts to put a politician in power ,if the sick person have no money they should automatically get help from the gov’t ,,that man could get a serious gangraine du to his sick legs ,wont that bother the gov’t if he dies due to his injuries…i doubt ,these politician are only thinking of there pocket and their family’s tummy…good luck young man…
Sorry to that the young man is still unattended to , it is a crying shame. Here in the U$, it’s according to what State you are in. New York and Atlanta have the best health programs. Others, the first thing they ask is ______what insurance you have
Shameful that Dominicans don’t see what happened there – PMH is govt run, govt scrutinized, govt employing who they want – the neglect is govt, the lack of doctors is govt – ppl are so naive that they believe the govt has done something good here – a young man sat there for days and ignored from a traumatic injury – I WASH MY HANDS OF THIS STUPIDITY
Once again you are placing the blame on the government. What happened to the hospital authorities? Where were they? Did they not know that this man was in need of surgery and could not afford it? What did they do about it? They are the ones who primarily are familiar with his case; not the government. Why did they not offer advice and/or suggestion to the young man and also his family?
Some of you who blame the government for everything have it all wrong. You have a severe judgmental problem which is a sin. You are unfair people. You do not as much as think.
I wish you would cease this unfair judgment on the government for everything. God knows who is responsible. He had to go to the Media to get help. Usually, this is the way it is for the government does not know everything, cannot know everything and is not everywhere to see and know everything just as police officers. The same occurs in other countries.
BLAME NOT THE GOVERNMENT AND FOR EVERYTHING! OK!
Anyway bottom line is once you have a job please people protect yourselves from the unfortunate mishaps of life by getting an INSURANCE, get a medical and an endowment. Go to ALICO and speak to an agent there they will happily serve you.
Thank you DNO.
Thank u, to the government of Dominica, for stepping up. God luck to u and ur Family
We know from who those negative and ignorant comments are coming from. DNO and Q95 are THEIR TURFS. Instead of being sympathetic and lend a helping hand they are pointing fingers. Anyway the Government has played its part.
@FAST N FURIOUS Your head is so upside down , you doh realize is the negative and ignorant comments about the government , that force them to help ? engage your brain before putting your mouth in gear. Oh please, the negative and ignorant comments were the helping hand that was handed to the victim.
stop talking rubbish
You are wrong. DNO posted the article. This is number one which primarily caught the eye of the government, in addition to bringing this matter to their attention. We can only assume the reason why the government assisted him, as a national who is in dire need of surgery and cannot afford it.
You would like to believe that the negative and ignorant comments about the government forced them to help. Putting it mildly, this is nonsense! It has absolutely nothing to do with such. Cease deceiving yourself and exaggerating. It is also presumptuous of you. You should be aware that those types of comments are ignored. They serve no useful purpose and cannot move anyone to do anything concrete. In fact, they are disgusting.
I am pleased to see that you utilized a statement I made. Everyone can learn from others and emulate them and/or what they stated just as long as what is written is sensible and they can learn something from it and pass it on.
The government should be thanked. I am unable to comprehend that so many of them are always on the back of the government. They never have anything good to state. They do not give compliments. They go through life consistently being negative, criticizing and always throwing words.
What haters! Do they not have a common sense and a conscience? This type of attitude is imbedded in their heart, mind and soul. They are too naive to know that it is not good for them and also in the long run. I have previously stated that one day they will pay for their words. They will not escape.
I have noted that this Website is anti-DLP. If this is a result of DNO who encourages their comments and Q95, sad to state, they, too will pay for it in time.
Our patient God is watching, listening and taking note of their words.
Mahaut talk row row you just repeating what people say, in America if you doesn’t have insurance you left to die once you doesn’t have the money. The Thing That Kills Me Is World Wide Every Country Had GOVERNMENT ASSISTANCE But Dominica Is The Red CLINIC We Calling it, We Soo Narrow minded. All the people had all sort of stuff to say, now the government helped people still being negative, God help us as a nation
Which America? The one I’ve been living in for 20 years will take you with or without insurance. Obviously if you don’t have insurance and not legal you get a bill after the fact. If you are legal with no insurance you are processed in the ER for Medicaid- government insurance covered by tax payers.
You either do not live here or ignorant of how things work here.
It’s wonderful that the government could step in at this time to assist this young man in his time of difficulty. Great stuff!! Such a relief to know that he will be receiving the medical attention that he needs. I hope that it is not too late to save his leg and pray that the grace and mercy of God will take him through the process.
Wonderful comment
Hmm…so you mean this had to come out as an embarrassment on DNO for the Government to help?? So if nobody had raised an outcry about this that young man would have likely lost his leg?
Where’s our compassion? According to one blogger, why couldn’t they operate on the young man and then look for the money?
The Hospital Administrator should have taken the young man’s case to the Permanent Secretary and Minister of Health and say “look, this young man is in danger of losing his leg. He’s broke, but I believe we should do the operation for him regardless”
Thank God. Who said it was an embarrassment for the government? It is news and interesting news. The government decided to assist him. Some of you imagine things and make your brains work overtime.
If the government was not informed, how could this be known?
You can blame the Hospital Administrator for not advising him and also not informing the proper authorities about his predicament.
While what the young man is going through is rough, I won’t wish it on anyone, there is always another scenario taking place in stories like this. PMH is operating at a loss, it’s not making nearly enough money to support itself. In the past and maybe presently, many Dominicans would be treated at PMH and either not pay their fees in full or simply not pay at all. I’m guessing the powers at be got frustrated and decided to run PMH as a business and not a charity. So while his situation is rough, I think we need to understand the point of view of the administrators.
I do think that PMH and the entire health sector needs a collections department, to not only collect and keep track of fees due but also to assist people in setting up payment plans. If people default I believe they should be taken to court. It may be harsh but running a hospital is very expensive and PMH needs to be able to support itself and not simply be on tax payers back while not contributing enough…
Hospitals are never run as a charity. If so, fundraising would be necessary. In general, nationals would be paying for it anyway.
Who will provide the hospital with overall financial assistance? If they fall short of funds, the government will have to assist.
In Dominica, the government bears the burden of it all. Have you ever wondered where the funds are coming from?
Your second sentence makes good sense. Those who are able to pay, be it a minimal amount, should do so.
This is where the government comes in. It would be helpful if D/ca had a national medical insurance plan for especially those who are unable to pay hospital fees. This plan means that those who are employed as also the business sector owners would contribute through income tax. I call this a hidden tax.
Hopefully someday, D/ca will have such a medical insurance plan for all nationals.
Allu time wicked in America wht… You doh, have insurance nothing can be done on you…same goes everywhere else…
You see people like you, your name you can never use, because of the crap, you all believe you know about America. You running your mouth talking about no insurance. What happened to the Medicare Medical program which facilitates people who does not have a job, and are ill.
A lot of you need to shut you damn mouth! Research what you read about, educate yourself before you talk crap as if you know when you do not know fart! No body goes without medical attention in America because they do not have money, or insurance. Say I told you!
I would really like to see if you own a degree Eh. First time I see a man that think they know it all. You disgust me and I am sure I speak for most readers on DNO as well.
Medicare is for persons over 65. Medicaid is for the extremely poor. Working class people with no health insurance just take their chances and hope for the best. I know many individuals paying hospital bills in the tens of thousands in the US. I work in healthcare so I know. Btw why do you think healthcare is such a hot button issue. Dominica’s problems are not unique to Dominica.
If not today, it was not so in bygone years. There is still negligence in US hospitals.
I wonder during the days of slavery in the US, how were the slaves treated if they were sick and needed medical and hospital care? Negroes and whites did not share the same house, etc. You could do a research on that. Food for thought.
I know for sure if you are going to do surgery and its not an emergency you can’t do it you have to pay upfront. I know for sure its a fact because I deal with it every. In America.
If you never work in the United State medicare will not medical for you. Medicare covers only people who paid medicare while they were employed
Vive La France for which i am blessed… Wishing you the best bro..
Praise God! For all of you who quick to run your mouth about the government…here it is. APPROVED MONEY TO ASSIST WITH SURGERY! Dominicans too fast! I am not into politics but some people really get under my skin with this skerrit business. I WISH i had someone like skerrit governing where I am. Right now God forbid I get into an accident and i don’t have money I am SCREWED! NO governor here is going to tell me they are assisting.
there is an agency upstairs astaphans that gives medical aid. please go there. bring along the doctor report stating the price of the procedure.
you could also go to the ministry of health and fill up a form for assistance for health care. they have helped people very well. also you bring in the report from the doctor going to do the procedure. or i think you take the form to the doctor so he can fill it up.
please do that. i feel really sorry for your situation. i hope someone reading this goes to this places to help you out. they really provide help. maybe all of it too.
i wish you all the best. god bless you.
What is the name of the Agency upstairs Astaphans please
Don’t put all the blame on the PM what ever happened to the doctors and nurses that take an oath to save lives. Don’t these people have a heart. God give us wisdom to do what is right by all men my God can’t some one used wisdom and do the right thing even if it cost you your job. If what you are doing please God no harm will come to you. Doctors and nurses these days are not like long ago where they cared about the people and not the money. If i had the money i would pay the bill without anyone knowing who or where the money come from, but i have more bills than i dollars. I pray that My God will send an angel we have to learn to trust God even when things are so bad and we dont know where our next dollar is coming from. Young man open your heart to God and stop depending on humans they will always disapoint you. Have faith in God and trust him he has never fail me yet. Father i place this young man in your hands i ask that you provide for his every need touch his leg heal
am not saying you don’t really need help but where is the medical paper to support it. With all those scams I believe that providing a medical paper would be an advantage. Cause even if the government wants to help u need documents my boi
I find that really strange for mister to have to pay then get sevice, only if it was or is an elective surgery n not an emergency. I strongly believe this article if lacking for information big time.
i have read this article twice and have not seen where it says he needs the money before the surgery. we look for any excuse to put politics in everything. is either you help or u don’t.
I feel for the family of this young man having to deal with this situation . His children who longs to have their dad in their lives as accustomed and a family who depends on his health to supply it’s financial needs . Justin , Jesus truly took the wheel from your hand that morning and caused this miracle in you life . This could have been a tragedy for the family . Thanks also the people of Belles who heard your cries and I am sure concerned ran to your rescue . Now it’s our parts as loving and giving citizens to assist this young man . It could be anyone of us or even our children ( son or daughter ) in this situation with a family behind to take care of . Kimberly , go to Q95 or any of the radio stations who would allow you atleast an hour or two from their normal programming to raise funds for Justin . I am waiting to give my pledge but no details from you are given and many out there would like to give though in difficult times to help Justin go thru this surgery speedily .
Why can’t they have the surgery done and have him pay later ? Just asking . Let me say thanks to the villagers of Belles who came to his rescue . This is one thing I love about our people , therefore it’s our turn to be play our parts as good citizens . Young lady Kimberly , ask the radio stations which ever one would be willing to assist you in a fund raising campaign to help Justin , by organizing an hour pledge to raise the money . Trust me it will happen as I will pledge as well and many out there wants to do the same to help this young man . It could happen to anyone of us . My prayer also for his children and family suffering as a result of his absence from them and also financial constrains caused by this untimely situation .
It is obvious he is in need of immediate surgery. Without much ado he should be operated on.
The government should be approached for assistance. In fact, speak to your MP who should do his utmost to advise and assist you in obtaining this assistance. Then financial assistance could be sought from other people to help defray some of the costs.
It has been confirmed that cost of surgery will be covered by the Government of Dominica. All other funds will be used to cover medication and post surgery rehabilitation. The family and friends of Justin thank you for your continued support and we will keep you updated via his gofundme page. http://www.gofundme.com/p34vfs
Praise GOD you are ok.
this man needs help politics aside, let us be good Samaritans.
dats y change was supposed to be a must..but d red clinic open every wednesday send kimberley to check daddy skerro he will just pay dat off for all u or mayb carimi,destra and beres worth more dan your leg……as minister blackmore says….u love ur pm? u will vote for him?….thank u!
You are a heartless person. You lack compassion. Woe to you. Hope you never have an accident.
That ‘s very very disturbing,you mean to tell me this poor man needs $8,000.00 cash in hands before surgery? I cannot understand the system,can they work with him on a payment plan? How many people back home is sitting around with eight thousand cash in hand? I hope they can save the leg he better becareful the leg do not get infected or else they will have to amputate it completely . Shame on the Health System, wake up Dominica.
This sounds like the US. If patients do not have medical insurance, they may not get medical assistance.
@ Facts, I think you have your facts wrong.In the US u can make payments.You pick a payment plan and you make payments till u done or pay it off. My brother did not have insurance and for that matter he was only a visitor.He was taken care of in a big time hospital .
Why did that young man have to wait till he has the money .Since when do we pay at the hospital? Thought it was free back home or is it not any more
You are so right I deal with it everyday. You must be financially cleared first inorder to have surgery only if its emergency. In this guy stituation if he is hospital its done as an in patient, if he is home awaiting surgery he has to pay upfront.
Wow Dominica is getting from the pot to the fire so people have to die before we can help them we’ll not in America noo insurance u will still get help if u get to the hospital our government can’t see what is happening to its people .. Die first than we help……ohhhh daddy skirrooo
why are ppl getting to be so dumb,the surgery will be done overseas u morons!
Did not read this in the article so we all think it is being done at home.Thats why I ask the question
8000 dollars? Is always the young plp that will feel that ! I live in a country where young people work for below minimum wage, 1000 dollars a month the salary can hardly meet basic necessities much less to pay health insurance coverage, and some employers hardly even pay social security. Take your claim to social welfare let the state pay for it.
What are the qualifications and experience?? Everyone of us can tell you when we first started working our salaries were small, but over time your knowledge and experience makes you more marketable.
You cannot come green and expect to make $9,000 a month it just don’t work that way!!!
Hey man, you have life, amputate that leg before its too late. Just give thanks for the life you have, Many people who lost sons and daughters to accidents wish it was an amputated leg their lost ones had. I hope you get the funds, but this too needs to be in perception.
You all getting what you vote for !!!!! This upsets me but Dominicans need to WAKE THE ……UP…..
WHERE IS DARROUX – MINISTER OF HEALTH MY …..
Your comment is stupid and your sound ignorant.
Why should a young man sit in the hospital waiting to have his leg operated on because he does not have $8000, – my comment is not stupid its facts – The hospital is run by the govt – do your research – They spent $30 million for campaign, $30 mill on palace and a young man sits in PMH begging for $8000 so a doctor can treat him – Its unethical, immoral and downright sad !!!!
SO here I go again – DOMINICANS ARE GETTING WHAT THEY VOTED FOR – LABOR KA TWAVAY
Its a travesty what is happening to this man!!! SHAME ON DARROUX – speak up
Was the government approached for assistance? Did the government refuse to help him? Why do you not find out first before you made this comment? You are another case as some not utilizing their common sense if they have any.
Dominica no political party in Dominica spent $30M on election stop repeating foolishness, if you want to convince me $30M was spent post the break down of the cost item by item then tell us where the funds came from!!!!!! Foolish!!!!
Now it is NOT and i repeat because you are part of the DUNCE CLAN, it is NOT the Hospital that is performing the surgery it is a PRIVATE Surgeon and that is the Doctor Fee your D.. A..
Finally i thought you UWP followers HATED the PUBLIC ASSISTANT PROGRAM AKA RED CLINIC?? Lennox said straight if he wins DOH COME TO HIM didn’t you all hear that part or you just HATE SKERRIT SO MUCH you hear no evil??? SMDFH!!!!!!!!
Wasa’nt this car insured? it seems that you all are driving cars with no insurance. If this car had injured someone else he or she would be on their own?
You see, I will never be loved by “Dominica people” but I do not care, and I will always speak out when I find injustice, and wrong.
In Dominica Skerrit, and his clones, and the idiots who keep on returning him to office claims that they care; hence, they have a slogan “yes we care.” Well if the government cares so much how come this man may loose his leg simply because he does not have eight thousand, five hundred meager dollars?
It is all about talk in Dominica, they will talk about it until gangrene takes over, and his leg will have to be amputated. You know I do not live in Canada, got sick there I went to a doctors office on Dowse I believe, they treated me before asking me about money, I eventually walked out without paying one dime. In America, legal or illegal if you need hospital attention no matter what the cause, they have to treat you before they can say money! After they treat you then you have to make arrangement to pay
yeah right !,thats why the whole world saw on CNN a woman died while waiting in an emergency .the only factor that was lacking was ability to pay.
She did not die because she was refused treatment, we saw that on Television, she was waiting to get attention. Some people wait until they are about to die before they go to the hospital. Anything can happen.
I have a nurse who look after me, I do not leave my house without her: three weeks ago we were on the road, am driving down the street talking, we were planing to leave the next day to go to Louisiana, I said something to her, waiting for her response, none came. I glanced over my shoulder only to discover she had a stroke. I pulled over, and called the paramedics, and informed them she was having a stroke. They came prepared and gave her some treatment before taking her to the hospital. Assuming she died would that be because she could not get medical attention? Absolutely not! Had it not been for my medical knowledge something horrible could have resulted, she survived without any paralysis. One can die at any time of any day!
And I for get to tell you nobody dies in America because they did not have money to pay for treatment. I do not care what you claim to have seen on CNN, that is a lie! Look here, a man from Wesley, he has residence in the United States, about three years ago he was here vacationing in another state.
He called me and told me about a medical issue, after talking to the man I suggest he go to a hospital immediately, because the problem could have killed him; though he is a resident he had no insurance, I stayed in Los Angeles California, and told him which hospital to go to in the a city where he was, he went his problem was acute they admitted him immediately, he was in the hospital for a few days.
To this day he has not paid a single dime, he told me they keep sending the bills to the address where he stayed at the time of the incident, so when you people are talking crap talk to one who do not know and not me!
Since you so rich as you “claim” that should be peanuts for you so send down the money. Your bum! Under a post like that all you coming and talk politics. Boy you really obsessed with Skerrit! You have a sickness!
Fransisco, your friend’s name maybe all over collection agencies in the US. Stop telling lies.
Refer to my comments above yours. You are another typical case whose “brain is not engaged before putting mouth/finger to the keyboard in gear.”
Sir, i do not mean to sound hash but ifk what part of states you living. In America they teeat you before asking for money????? Hmmmm NOT TRUE and i thought that was the case till i left dominica for the states. Here in the states, insurance is a must or else you DEAD. Dont let anyone fool you. Dominica is one of the SWEETEST place i know. You think you can tell obama pay for your surgery because you loosing your leg!! Hmmm bwavo
I was having a baby (i am a US citizen) and I was in labor. The people had ne sitting there groaning while my husband gave our insurance information, address, social security number and other ‘important’ info. Dominicans always think low of their country. Dang
Proud Dominican what are you talking about.Do you really know what you are saying?Go check your facts again and come back
When you are having elective or ambulatory surgery you must must pay upfront inorder to get it done, so give out the right information.
What i don’t understand is why he as to have the money before he gets the surgery done if he does not have the money ? isn’t it an emergence ? so as a citizen his life hangs in the balance so they going to let him die ? and you telling me he has to pay first . come on the Government of Dominica. $30 million.
It is like that everywhere not just in dominica
Me you foolish man? Your mind not telling you the cost is for the Surgeon? I mean honestly all you people have the whole wide world laughing at us we boss with those foolish comment.
DNO please filter foolish comments nah man it is not making us Dominicans look good!!!!!!!
http://www.gofundme.com/p34vfs
Justin God is love. I will donate and I pray that you make a full recovery.