COMMENTARY: It’s the same slavery, same sufferation, same solution

Dr. Irving Pascal is the only Dominican ENT specialist

The Princess Margaret Hospital is once again without an Ear, Nose and Throat (ENT) specialist for the second time in nine months. Nowadays, if you have an ENT condition at PMH you could languish and suffer on a hospital bed or you may eventually get flown overseas after your full recovery is quite likely compromised.

Dominicans, we are indeed still on the slave plantation, the ‘Massa’ supremacy mentality is in full ascendancy. On the slave plantation, our humanity was determined by where we were positioned in the hierarchy that descended from ‘Massa’ to house slave, then to all those field slaves. After so called emancipation, it was the hue of our skin, the length and straightness of our hair, place of abode, thickness of our lips, our religious practice etc. that was the measure of our humanity.  Today, in Dominica, our humanity and your ENT care is measured not by the content of your character and the professional competence of your doctor but by the presumed colour of his thoughts and the degree to which you genuflect before those practising the ‘Massa’ supremacy mentality. They claim the divine right to total domination and control of our living.

What other rationale would explain that after having SUFFERED for one year with an ENT condition, a three-year-old girl from Dos D’ane had her SUFFERING prolonged unnecessarily for weeks because of the myopic, self-serving, ‘Massa’ and house slave-like mentality of sitting politicians and their functionaries? She suffers while there is local surgical expertise available to relieve her suffering. What other spin can you put on it?

How does one justify that one week after a traumatic facial injury a young man from Warner is denied the offer of local surgical expertise when no other ENT surgeon is available to provide the care he desperately needs!!  Who cares that every hour delayed exposes him to risks of an amputated nose or worse, death from a brain abscess; these are just some of the atrocities in our ‘Sickcare System’ that will sicken you till you puke or make you bawl out with rage.

Who really cares? “Massa” doesn’t care; house slaves don’t and neither do the majority of us, the field slaves.  You know why?  It’s not their children!! Furthermore, their consciences see political colours, before everything else. It’s the same old plantation story; our humanity is based on a presumed colour, this time, through our thoughts, not our skin. So, little has REALLY CHANGED.

How would any reasonable Dominican confronted with this level of callousness and unethical conduct of the hospital and central administration, react if they knew it is civilly wrong and bordering on the criminal?  Isn’t it also reasonable to conclude that this blatant abuse of authority only reflects the degree to which victimization and thuggery (Yes, THUGGERY!!) are institutionalized in the public service?

I repeat from my DNO article of July 2014 “Our Health Care System is on a slippery slope and those who cannot stop the slide should step aside.” I expect a repeat of the fruitless official attempts to bully, demonize and misrepresent me and quite likely much more, given that five years later the stakes are much higher! No one will resign! No heads will roll! No policies to implement REAL CHANGE will materialize. The SUFFERATION will continue because “Is so it is” on the slave plantation and we foolishly continue to cannibalize one another to please the ‘Massa’ supremacy mentality. Indeed, “the more things change, the more they remain the same.”

Sadly, these ‘trusted’ officials and their lackeys who are responsible for this level of SUFFERATION, will wax lyrically that your HEALTH is your WEALTH, while as it has been alleged, they embrace deception with “hand-outs” and “cool-outs” masquerading as WEALTH.

Dominicans, our health and indeed our country’s welfare, is our SACRED responsibility. We need to always act to protect not just our health and well-being, but also our environment and sovereignty. In reality, those in authority that you have depended on to so do, have dropped the ball and failed miserably. As examples, just recall the shocking neglect of health services in Marigot for the last four years and the never-ending passport selling fiasco.

Dominicans, Bob Marley asked us to “Emancipate yourselves from mental slavery, for none but ourselves can free our minds.” I like the modern Rasta youths version though “Fyah bun de slavish mentality.”

 

May the spirit of the ancestors be pleased.

 

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27 Comments

  1. October 14, 2019

    SO!….. there are patients in DA in serious need of intensive care and attention, amongst would be children and the elderly… no doubt i can only imagine some in disturbing pain (& as far as pressure on the brain) for relief to be DENIED?…. ALL because of poli-TRICKS???… if any DAY one of these TRICK-sions have an ENT problem he/she MAY wait till the last minute to call the doctor, ONLY because at that point realization of the very thin line between nonsense speeches and political views (some personal to the speaker) have nothing to do with health strength & also saving lives… if it were children playing “turf” wars or “postcode” wars in DA like they do in UK and parts of the U.S…….. dem same Trick-sion would present ‘sensible’ speeches for the youths promoting unity… I’m sorry… but it sounds like “grown boys” NOT men, warriors, leaders or firm examples are leading DA into a better tomorrow… incredible…..🔥

  2. Sakah
    October 2, 2019

    Sounds like YOU are the one that is experiencing YOUR own mental slavery and then throw your opinion(s) and feelings on others, with the expectation that everyone will feel the same. Read all the responses to you and judge for yourself.

    My brother release your mind.

    • out of south city
      October 5, 2019

      Get out of here with your uneducated self as far as knowing who you truly are. Stop eating the crumbs that fall from Massa’s table and provide for yourself so that you won’t be begging and depending on hand-outs.
      UNAPOLOGETIC

  3. Highest grades wi blaze
    September 30, 2019

    Doc you’re so blessed and thanks for staying here with us throughout the years it’s are short time for the Massa to disappear real change is coming real change and you will definitely be reinstated back into our health system to continue the wonderful work that you have dedicated your life to i thank you and salute u sir

  4. People's power
    September 30, 2019

    In this 21st, century there are still those who publicly display how heartless and evil they are. What has Dr. Pascal done wrong, but to express his views about the dismal health sector and the wickedness to not allow the Dominican ENT DR. to treat the innocent child? Heartless. wicked Dominicans will defend and support such evil to their own? Meanwhile an international criminal, Monfared is allowed safe haven in DA, and was living in luxury in Canefield. Foreigners and a few locals making millions from our passport sales, but Dominicans shouldn’t eat a bread. Wicked.

  5. Ti Garcon
    September 30, 2019

    This is rather sad and pathetic attempt to gather support for his own self glorification. Dr. Pascal, have you mentored and led the path for future doctors to follow you footsteps? I mean, you should had a replacement, and the argument should be a younger doctor being denied doing his/her job.
    Is your argument that a 60yr old be granted a job for life? What happens when you die or fall sick- are you providing sound solutions? Or are you guilty of house neg tactics of attaining a position and then do all in your power to keep everyone else down.
    You are just a manifestation of the seniority problems in the Caribbean where u old outdated old heads suppress younger professionals just so you maintain job security. A man in your position should had a youngin under you wing, and now be fighting for him. But hear you, just fighting for your own ends.
    While you wallow in self pity, are you the only Dr going though this predicament? So y u only care about yourself?

    • October 2, 2019

      Dr. Pascal is not looking to be a doctor in PMH for life again lack of common sense he is welcomed in Africa and right in other Caribbean Islands but regardless he decided to stay in Dominica to help his people and that’s what I call commitment. In other countries and Islands retired doctors can and allowed to use the hospitals while they have there own out side practices and that’s the problem we are facing with both doctors Pascal and Shillingford, As doctors you or your nonsense will never be able to take there education and knowledge from them, now of them a wallowing all they want is to help all the people of Dominica, because not every one like you can flight out to other Island/Countries for treatments, so I would say check yourself and your comments when referring to the people and park your jealousy a side .

  6. Me
    September 30, 2019

    IP, important lesson my brother. Slavery was never a question of simply black and white. It is the subjugation of one person by another for the simple pleasure of perverse control, profit, or both.

    ,

  7. look it
    September 30, 2019

    Well look it. Jesus was crucified for telling the truth. good article proven. A qualified person placed in a position as acting, after one year, things are in place and running smoothly, they are then removed and give the job to a friend or relative who is less capable. the question answered. WHY? OUR doctors and Nurses leave and go to work for other countries. This been happening far too long.Those in authority come on radio and tell you one thing and practise another.

  8. REAL!!!!
    September 30, 2019

    Enslaving and Sucking the blood of poor people in Dominica till death that is what we are experiencing in Dominica Doc!!!!!

  9. Ibo France
    September 30, 2019

    Dr. Pascal, you are perfectly honest and right. The incumbent administration practises Plantation Politics. The only thing that has changed is the complexion of the Massa. Massa days are alive and well today again in Dominica. The masses live on the edge of life while a chosen, privileged few ( Skerrit and his Entourage) live a life of unimaginable luxury. This heartless, aristocratic regime gets superlative pleasure from persecuting their fellow country men and women who they perceive to threaten their privileged position. Their only concern is not to lose power, hold on to it eternally. The health and economic status of the vast majority of the citizens means absolutely nothing to these overly dark hearted, modern day Judases. Throw them through the EXIT DOOR by giving them the finger on Election Day.

  10. September 30, 2019

    Stop with this Massa rubbish. We have issues let’s deal with them in a mature manner. Invoking words like slavery, Massa and plantation to give individuals labels in this modern age, shows that too many of the educated are mentally retarded. Why in this day and age should an opposition call for the intervention of the FBI, Scotland Yard, Interpol and CIA in the affairs of Dominica? These institutions were all created to continue the oppression of black people. With all the FBI and CIA in America the minority black population represents the largest incarcerated group in America. Dr. Pascal knows the truth yet he continues to peddle this garbage.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      October 1, 2019

       “Why in this day and age should an opposition call for the intervention of the FBI, Scotland Yard, Interpol and CIA in the affairs of Dominica?  ”
      Anon Lennox might not be correct this time, since I am aware that only the ruling government can invite the FBI or New Scotland Yard into the country to aid the local police in investigating an unsolved crime, be it murder or thievery.

      Every island in the Caribbean has solicited that sort of assistance in the past.

      That is not to say the leader of an opposition does have the right to notify  such agencies of such corrupted conduct by an individual, or individuals, who might be laundering dirty money in their respective territories.

      In any event Lennox did not not mentioned the  CIA: However; it might be interested to note the CIA may long have a presence in Dominica only you don’t know they are there.

      I heard CIA lived in crook house in Dominica!

      Try find the story (I doh Know).

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      October 1, 2019

      Anon, I would like to say, the massa day still exists in Dominica; and too the majority of people live and exists in economic and mental slavery!

       Mental slavery is the inability to view events, or one’s self, objectively.

      A mental slave will not apply his brain to evaluate what he is being told, to discover what is true and rational; mental slaves are in the habit of accepting and believing what is told to them, whether it makes sense or not.

      Economic slavery create an environment with such economic discrepancies where you have a small percentage of the population with all the resources; money and power, where the majority are fighting and finding a way to just provide themselves with their basic survival requirements!

      Anybody living in Dominica with commonsense will recognized it as I define both mental and economic slavery, hope you can.

      Under Roosevelt Skerrit everything you read here are Roosevelt supporters reality!

  11. TomE
    September 30, 2019

    This article is nonsense. This is nothing more than a disgruntles former employee and advocate for the opposition, UWP, trying to get his way. His behavior is tantamount to a five year old throwing a temper tantrum. The closer we get to election the more desperate these guys get. What a shame….

    • out of south city
      October 5, 2019

      If you really cared about the sick who are suffering in this land, whose lives could be spared by getting the health care that is needed, you would understand what Dr. Pascal has written. Since you are a House slave, your vision is myopic. You have sold out your soul to Massa and as a result, you have been blinded. As Dr. Pascal said, “it’s not their children.” In this case, it is not your child, therefore, you care less. How cold-hearted is that! Stop letting Massa control your mind so much and be loosed from his grip. Your religious and political blinders need to be broken so you can see exactly what’s going on.
      Dr. Pascal is different from many in this society and he is not getting on their band wagon. That is why he is despised.
      UNAPOLOGETIC

  12. Facts
    September 30, 2019

    You political biases are so obvious why? As a Dr. your first passion and priorities are your patients. Your behavior is that of a scorned politician. You would be better off Dr. jumping in the political arena, than staying in the sidelines throwing insults and political innuendos. Remember the diagnosis you gave your political opponent, words were I Run Tings.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      October 2, 2019

      “Facts” you are ignorant of the matter; Dominica is a very backward place where government crawls with their backside facing up.

       Roosevelt and Darroux have politically victimized the man, because he may have refused to be a political puppet to an idiot less educated than he is; this man is a medical doctor, with a skill only he has among doctor on the island.

      Any surgery in his field that must be conducted, have to be carried out in a Hospital!

      If the ruling government deny him the privilege of performing surgery in the public owned hospital; how the hell can you talk this bull crap about his patients be his priorities?

      You need to shut up!

      Very few doctors retire from their profession; usually because of old age they know when to quit and fade away, the victimization of which Roosevelt Skerrit and Darroux perpetrated on this man is wrong!

      I hope in the interim you do not need his professional services to save your larynx and pharynx.

  13. Beatrice Gumbs
    September 30, 2019

    You need to check your attitude/bedside manner then everything else will fall into place.

    • Ibo France
      September 30, 2019

      Ma’am, there are two animals inside each of us, a lamb and a lion. You can’t always let the lamb out. Doing this, many people will walk all over you and use you. You have to let the lion loose sometimes. This is the only time that you get respect from some people.

    • REAL!!!!
      September 30, 2019

      @ Beatrice Gumbs…..”You need to check your attitude/bedside manner then everything else will fall into place”

      This exactly what ” Masa” would say which you so eloquently repeat.

      Here we see the response of a House Slave!!!!!…..@Beatrice Gumbs

    • Roseau Central
      September 30, 2019

      @Beatrice Gumbs just pray that no family or yours in Dominica gets an ENT problem cuz they will lie in PMH languishing. You cannot fly out your PM already say in public none of his supporters can pay school fee farless to fly out.

  14. ME
    September 30, 2019

    Dominica is not a real country, it is a fools paradise that promote nonsense instead of sense :!:

  15. Not A Herd Follower
    September 30, 2019

    According to Dr. Pascal, ”their consciences see political colours, before everything else. It’s the same old plantation story; our humanity is based on a presumed colour, this time, through of our thoughts, not our skin. ” So true, Dr. Pascal. So true. And a very sad and tragic reflection of who we are as Dominicans. People are prepared to accept patients dying because the available doctor who can make a positive difference to the lives of the patients is perceived to be not a supporter of their Idol and his political organization. This is where we are in Dominica today.

  16. Observing
    September 30, 2019

    What is hurtful and disgraceful about this are men like Mr. Blanc and Dr. Dublin that preach African Liberation every year and their own Brother in the movement is being persecuted like the same slaves by the new massa’s in Dominica and they say nothing. The other local Doctors sit there in silence and says nothing and the labor supporters that cant afford to airlift their children say nothing because it hasn’t reach home.

  17. zandoli
    September 30, 2019

    Supporters of this party care little about their health care. Once Skerrit can put $5000 into their pockets to secure their votes, that is all they care about. Dominicans do not care about their future. They are so short sighted, they only care about today. So Skerrit is making sure they are happily dancing and making merry while they suffer the day after.
    I don’t blame Skerrit, I blame the people who keep him in power.

  18. SMH
    September 30, 2019

    you see how they are all against you…there are other countries that need you. to H### with DA

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