In-country project with stakeholders aims to transform Dominica’s health systems and achieve universal health

Dr Amalia Del Riego

Pan American Health Organization, (PAHO) in collaboration with the Ministry of Health, held an in-country project with stakeholders for transforming Dominica’s health systems and achieving universal health.

The event was held at Prevost Cinemall conference room on Monday, November 7.

PAHO/WHO representative of Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean Countries (ECC), Dr Amalia Del Riego announced that the delegation from PAHO Barbados, and staff from Washington headquarters will hold activities throughout this week with the objective of advancing global health care.

She said the project intends to facilitate four important areas to achieve a strong, well-organized, and well-financed health system.

“We will improve access to quality primary health care services with a focus on NCDs and revamping the basis of primary health care through community engagement and the participation of stakeholders. The second component is giving attention to the hospital services because for comprehensive care we need hospitals to be well coordinated.”

The third component, Del Riego stated, is to strengthen the Ministry of Health’s capacity for leadership and stewardship in governance as “hospital services will not function well without a strong national health authority.”

She noted that a health strategic plan will be given to the government that will clearly identify the targets and directions to take which has to be shared with key stakeholders. A financing mechanism will also be given to help advance healthcare systems.

“The last component will be the strengthening of the information systems through digital transformation which will progress health in Dominica in a much more rapid state.”

Del Riego expressed that it is believed that by implementing a primary health care approach, we will guide the transformation of the health care systems, and we will achieve milestones.

Meantime, Minister for Health, Dr Irvin McIntyre, said resilience is not only about the country’s infrastructure but also in persons’ mental attitude and approach to health.

“This is the reset button we are pressing in the Ministry of Health and we recognize it has to be done from the foundation so this is why primary health care is number one on the list of things that need to be done.”

He noted that government recognizes that for our development, Dominica needs a healthy and productive population, adding that as a small island developing state, our foundation is healthy people, which is why the government “has invested so much in health care.”

McIntyre also stated that the Ministry of Community Development holds that all groups must be on board including sports, churches, and farmer groups because, according to him, it takes a “forest” to facilitate the development of Dominica.

He expressed that local stakeholders must have the “passion” to work together with PAHO for nation-building and asked that they do not let this opportunity pass them by.

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3 Comments

  1. Theodora hamlet
    November 10, 2022

    Another talkshop PHO lady you need to visit one of the health centres or the hospital yourself. Dr Mac doesn’t know about these places

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 5 Thumb down 1
  2. Beta
    November 9, 2022

    Well, all I can say good luck with that. When the CM took reign over 20 years ago, Dominica had a better health care system than now. Is that perhaps the kind of progress the supporters of this CM commonly refer to?

    Well-loved. Like or Dislike: Thumb up 8 Thumb down 2
  3. If we knew better
    November 9, 2022

    really? We are talking about Dominica. lets not forget that. In a country where old and young dogs refuse to learn and practice new tricks, it will just business as usual.

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