Trauma surgeon Dr. Dale Dangleben, originally from Dominica and now based in the United States, recently expressed exasperation over the denial of duty exemptions for a shipment of medical supplies.
Speaking on Q95 this week, Dr Dangleben said that the shipment included modern medical equipment and personal protective gear (PPE), and was delivered to the Woodbridge Bay Port earlier this month. According to Dr. Dangleben, he diligently adhered to all required procedures and notified authorities since late April about the arrival of the container, which was part of his efforts to support healthcare initiatives in Dominica through a newly established health distribution center in Pointe Michel.
However, he shared that just two days before the container was cleared, he was unexpectedly asked to submit a detailed, itemized list of all equipment intended for donation. At that point, he said that only a general inventory was available, and he was taken aback by the sudden request. Reportedly, the shipment was meant to benefit Dominican hospitals, but the lack of specific documentation reportedly hindered the processing of duty concessions.
This incident prompted a formal response from the Ministry of Health, Wellness and Social Services. In a press release issued on July 24, 2025, the Ministry clarified the circumstances surrounding Dr. Dangleben’s situation and provided context for both the complaint and its own response.
The Ministry acknowledged ongoing discussions with Dr. Dangleben, which took place between May 28 and June 24, 2025. During these conversations, the statement says, officials outlined the procedures required to secure duty exemptions on donated medical supplies.
The Ministry emphasized that clear documentation was necessary, including an itemized inventory and valuation, to distinguish between items designated for donation and those intended for personal or commercial use. The Ministry explained that only items officially declared as donations are eligible for duty waivers. Any other goods, whether for personal use or commercial purposes, require separate applications and are subject to applicable duties.
According to the Ministry’s statement, Dr. Dangleben informed officials that his shipment contained both donated items and personal or commercial goods related to his private endeavors. Despite being advised of the documentation requirements, the Ministry noted that it has not yet received the necessary detailed inventory and valuation from Dr. Dangleben. As a result, officials stated they could not proceed with granting the requested duty concessions.
The Ministry reaffirmed its commitment to transparency and adherence to established procedures, emphasizing that all applications are processed fairly and consistently. It also expressed appreciation for the contributions of the Dominican diaspora and welcomed collaborations aimed at improving healthcare infrastructure in Dominica, provided they follow proper protocols.
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See full statement below:
Maybe I don’t get it, but it seems you better off being missionaries with multiple containers of “stuff”, just to find it has been going on for a while unchecked. Now we find ourselves backtracking with program to control proliferation of guns.
However, Patriotic Dominicans, not missionaries with their Duhminican trainees, are enhancing the health system with medical equipment, but hit a proverbial brick wall when requesting incentives enjoyed by other similar businesses. It may be deeper than that but I think I get it.
Dale Dangleben have been very dishonest in his dealings with the Government of Dominica. Remember, he first claimed that they were denying him a license to practice medicine in Dominica. This turned out to be a lie. The truth was he neglected to provide a criminal record certification which was part of the application process, and a soon as he provided it, he was granted his license. Now he claims that they are denying him duty free concessions. But the truth is he failed to provide an itemized list of supplies eligible for duty free concessions, he’s a compulsive liar trying to score cheap political points….
This Government will do all in its power to retard, suppress and inhibit all those who do not sing the Labour theme song. Even though the citizens of Dominica stand to benefit from Dr Dangleben’s donations to the hospital, which consistently lacks basic supplies (all those who say otherwise know that they are lying through their teeth!), the Government will try to frustrate him on all sides.
@ Corn Corner
Man this place is just a building, not a hospital. I can tell you, because i have been there several times. No wonder Skerrit, (the inveterate liar), his wife and children, and all his other ministers rather go abroad, Marie Galante or elsewhere, for medical treatment. That is what a people get when leaders are corrupt.
I hope one day those corrupt politicians pay for what they have done to this country.
MEME
Why do we even have these exorbitant tariffs on everything in the first place? And even worse on medical supplies. This is ridiculous. You send in something as a donation and you have to pay import tariffs to get it here?
Every Dominican know who Dale Dangleben is and where he stand.It was the same Dale Dangleben who said Skerrit was foo when he talked about a Hi-FU machine.Dale expect because he is a doctor,he can break the law,he has to pay duty for his commercial and personal items.There was a certain doctor working in a hospital in Pennsylvania,they had changed the hospital name and hand it to state control,because of massive corruption.We in Dominica will never bow to corruption.Dishonesty is UWP supporters middle name,waiting for comments from the blue puppets to expose the good doctor.
I’ve always admired this man but it looks like he wants to take the state for a ride. you want duty free items for your own clinic to line your pocket. I remember that the biggest pharmacy tried this old trick after hurricane Maria, had a container of goods saying it was for donation for the people of Dominica. these same people had to run to the PM for forgiveness as the state was going to fine them.
Let us put aside the political rhetoric, partisan politics and understand the workings of bureaucracy and Dr Dale Dangleben efforts to make his contribution to health care in Dominica, which he should be complemented, it shows that it is not only The Government role to improve healthcare in Dominica, but also private citizens in Partnership with the Government, and I’m sure the Government is not opposed to such thing. We see it at the opening ceremony of Dr Dale Dangleben Clinic recently. In due time this will be sorted out and Dr Dale Dangleben will see fruition of his goal. Dominica is ours to build, not only The Government responsibility.
Gary! You are always on the wrong side of an issue. When was the last time you had a comprehensive medical examination? Stop trying so hard to come across as cerebral. That, for sure, you are NOT!
Have you ever took introspection of yourself, not Ibo France the caricature you are playing on this forum, but the being you are. The matter at hand is not about who is on the right side or wrong side, where the truth and reason stands on your side, lol. Look at your comment on the matter not the reply to me, it is consistent with your rhetoric The Government is wrong, and The Government is evil, do you ever unravel your irrational mind imbedded with your hatred for the Government, so long.
The evil Roosevelt fled regime has a proclivity for foreigners and disdain for indigenous people, especially known members and supporters of the Opposition. The wicked administration will put artificial barriers in the path of those who wish to make a living or even generous contributions to their native land. The current regime wishes to hog all the praise and commendation for itself.
There are so many erudite and successful Dominicans in the diaspora who are eager to make meaningful contributions to their country of birth. However, they are deliberately frustrated and stymied by an administration, for some baffling reason, from giving back.
Living in Dominica is a harrowing experience, not only because of the evil administration, but because of those people with clout and influence ( business owners, religious leaders, local media representatives) etcetera, who keep silent – unperturbed.
Maybe life in Dominica is not as horrible as you want us to believe and that’s probably the reason why you don’t see much blowback from business owners, clergy etc that you mentioned. There is room for growth in all countries including Dominica. Unfortunately, we don’t have the necessary resources required to address our everyday needs in a timely manner. It takes money, something we don’t have a whole lot of on island. Plus to have the total reliant on government for everything further makes services on island move at a snails pace.
Back to Dr Dangleben and the issue he’s experiencing. There is a very easy solution to it. Just do like everyone does that is simply declare the contents and value of the items in the container and the problem is solved. Those items which are slated for donations will be exempted from import duty, the rest, personal or commercial are subjected to duty. Simple and case closed.
It is ironic, you know, that a man like Dale, who has spent the past years crying down Skeritt as corrupt, now wishes the public service system managed by Skeritt to engage him in unlawful activity. Not honestly itemising and declaring the value of items imported is unlawful! No way around this.
BTW, DNO, Dale was not denied duty free. On the contrary, by his own admission, he was promised duty-free. He simply refused to provide the same documents that Customs demands of each one of us importing items into Dominica. Why does Dale think of himself as above the law in Dominica? He did the same thing when he applied to the Medical Board. He was asked to submit certain documents, and he kept refusing. This dude has a record of seeking to circumvent established rules and processes in Dominica. Is this how he leads in his work in the US? Is this the kind of leadership he would embrace if he were given the opportunity to lead in public life in Dominica? Frightening!!
@Putin
Is Skerrit above criticism? Of all Dominicas leaders, Skerrit deserves 95% criticism for mismanagement of Dominica, and all the other past leaders 5%.
Why do you think Dominica is last among the apostles?
Why do you believe our health care system is the worst in the Caribbean?
Why do you believe Skerrit does not trust our health care system?
Why do you believe all nurses are leaving?
When its matters of health you betteer find your corrupt little place and let those who feel it talk. Are you a crumb picker?
You are so predictable. Finding frivolous excuses to denigrate a selfless patriot who is willing to give of his best back to his country of birth makes you monumental ignoramus.
At times I wonder if there is a complete vacuum between your ears. Your deference for a despot and his herd of fawning creatures is very perplexing.
Has this underperforming, unproductive, utterly corrupt and lying administration ever done anything wrong or illicit in your eyes?
You do realize that some vigilant public officer caught your “selfless patriot” attempting to shaft and fleece the Treasury and stopped him in his tracks, right? You realised that this is what happened there, right? Yet, to you, this kind of pirate behaviour is “patriotic”. Twisted!
And you point your greasy finger at others?
Nonsense. He has a right to invoke every right owed to him as a citizen whether he criticizes the Government or not. It is called freedom and responsible citizenship. If the Government wishes to still be considered a democracy, it must continue to treat all citizens equally otherwise it will be a dictatorship (and it’s dreadfully close to that right now!)
And treating “all citizens equally” is precisely what the Government is doing by asking Dangleben to declare the names, quantities, and value of the items in his container AND if he wishes duty-free on his personal and commercial items, he should apply to the Ministry of Finance. Dat is all, dat is all! What is so hard in this? This is the exact same process for you and for me and for Joe Blow. What makes Dangleben any different that he feels obliged to throw a tantrum and, like a famm daybah, run to Matt and cry when he is asked to fall in line as every citizen? Eh? Tell me! Garsan, tell Dale go sit under a rock somewhere and hide! I doubt he would pull that stunt in St. Vincent or in the States! Who died and made him Lord Almighty?