Former Health Minister Dr. Kenneth Darroux has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the Dominica Hospital Authority.
He replaces St. Lucian National Nancy Francis, who held that position for the past two years.
“I want to say thanks to the work of the former CEO, my predecessor, Miss Francis, who is St Lucian by birth. She spent two years here, and I want to thank her for the tremendous work that she did in setting the foundation, setting the authority on a clear course to prosperity,” he said. “When the minister called to ask whether I could step in as interim CEO, of course, I had to give it some serious thought. I would have to get out of my comfort zone, semi-retirement sort of, in order to get back, of course, to manage, the challenges that come in managing a national hospital.”
According to Dr. Darroux, he feels honoured and humbled that he was called to serve in that capacity.
“And I think the reason, of course, was given to me that I would have had a panoramic view of the health system, serve as a patient, a medical doctor, intern, minister of health and of course, deputy director of the board, so I would have had a 360 view of the health system and the hospital and what it entails,” he explained.
Furthermore, he revealed that he has been very busy meeting staff, trying to hear from them, “starting with the different categories of staff, starting from the domestic workers, all the way up rather to the surgeons to kind of get a feel of what are the issues and of course to hear from them, [what] they think of some of the solutions.”
Dr. Darroux said he will soon meet with the Minister of Health to provide him with a comprehensive report on what he has found out and what is needed to get the hospital moving in the right direction.
Meanwhile, Dr. Darroux said he plans to restore the public trust in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH).
“We heard the Prime Minister hinted that over the years we’ve seen sort of a decline in the public trust, some unjustifiably of course, a lot of gossip mongering, but it’s mind-boggling to me now after millions of dollars worth of investment in a new building. I mean, this is a thousand percent better than what existed before. I’m showing you what existed before,” he stated. “In terms of a thousand percent more services, radiology, modern radiology. This is our sixth operating theatre in this hospital. “
Moreover, according to Dr. Darroux, it is obvious that some strategic moves need to be made in terms of building the public’s trust back in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. He added that this is one of the reasons he met with the staff and human resources.
“The human resource is perhaps the most important asset of any institution, and in that case, the hospital because of all of the fancy equipment, the fancy x-rays, mammogram, and MRI, if the staff who operate these are not motivated, they are not happy, etc…, [then] we get the bad results,” he remarked. “So of course this is a challenge.”
Dr. Darroux added, “There are other challenges along the way, but what I think my main focus, as I said, is to build people’s trust back into the hospital because we do have a lot of wonderful things going on. So these are success stories that we think need to be out there. “
He revealed that the hospital board is in the process of hiring a PR consultant.
Since December 17, 2019, Dr. Darroux has held the position of Minister of Foreign Affairs. His extensive background in the healthcare sector includes serving as Minister of Health and Social Services, as well as acting as Medical Officer for the Grand Bay District.
His medical education and dedication to community health have significantly influenced his early perspectives and his ongoing dedication to public health initiatives.
Throughout his political career, Dr. Darroux has played various roles within the government, notably representing the Petite Savanne Constituency in Parliament since 2005.
His career has been marked by a commitment to improving health systems and disaster resilience in Dominica.
I hope you take time to investigate the procedures and practices which is currently taking place in the hospital. A lot of deaths could be avoided. If the hospital has such state of art equipment and good workers, why do the members of the parliament take their families overseas for treatment, they don’t have confidence in this building that they boast so much of. Dominicans need to feel confident, that when they visit the hospital that they are given the best care. Doctors/nurses should not make recommendations that patients don’t need just so that they could profit. (sending patients to do unnecessary tests/scans at other institutions just to make a quick buck) Where is the love, and care we use to have for each other. We should not have to profit off someone illness. Remember God is always watching, He will judge the unrighteousness if it is still happening. Lets foster love at the hospital, persons who are patients need to feel love, trust and care from the all workers
Who was minister of health in the UWP corrupt government?Doreen James Paul of Layou was made minister of health,because her mother was a nurse.UWP introduced the Hospital User Fee,hundreds of Dominicans died because they could not pay the hospital user fee.At least Dr.Kenneth Darroux is a medical doctor.
This is my second posting on this matter. I pray that this one gets to the ears and eyes of the Dominican public.
Who choose the name Dominica China friendship Hospital (DCFH)? What happened to the Princess Margaret Hospital? As a Dominican, I asked several people where the name come from? And to my chagrin, the answers were shocking. What happened to those doctors, nurses and other professionals who worked tirelessly in the medical profession. Is there one name that should have replaced the Princess Margaret Hospital? I am not ungrateful to the Chinese government and people for helping in this great endeavor, but if the tables were turned what would they named such a gift?
Dominicans have come to accept every nonsense from dimwitted head of government. That hospital should have been named in honour of a deserving son or daughter of the soil who gave yeoman service in the medical field.
Dominicans today lack patriotism, hate and have a deep-seated jealousy for one another. I happen to know the names of some of main hospitals in other territories in the Caribbean. They are mostly named in honour of a deserving healthcare worker or a most deserving national. Dominica-China Friendship Hospital – NONSENSE!!
Guns parts,you are a bloody liar,you have never been to the hospital,just UWP propaganda.There are even FREE blood tests at the hospital and medicines the hospital does not have you buy.There are FREE Doctor visits all over Dominica,for your information Dominicans are very proud and very independent people,they preferred to buy the medicines than going to the hospital to wait.
No wonder you called yourself Lin Clown. I’m certain your conclusion was meant to be humorous. I honestly believe that most Dominicans will like to be fiercely independent. However, because of the desperate economic situation in the country, begging has become prevalent. It’s beg, tief or starve.
I know Dominica is like the wild wild west with guns…hope u are Kool with this….medical care is a priority to Dominican but Dominican cannot afford medical care at the hospital. you have to walk with your paracetamol….and all politicians don’t go to tge hospital for care …why? is it because they can afford or they arec tfraid of Dr. fanchew? do a pole and all you will see how good and honest people in Dominica are not please with Dominica direction….
Roosevelt dismisses many of his former ghost ministers from Cabinet then recycle them in high profile positions in the civil service to feed from the trough. These appointments are a complete waste of taxpayers money. If these people were so good at what they did, why kicked them out of Cabinet?
Roosevelt does not surround himself with the best human resources of Dominica. He is comfortable with spineless enablers. That’s the primary reason why Dominica languishes in the cellar position in the OECS.
These former Cabinet ministers
My, My, My!!! Look Ma it’s a bird, no it’s a plane…wait, sorry…It’s a cat-o-nine political lives.
Who said Dominica does not believe in recycling and repurposing? This one is so freaking unbelievable that not even Disney will touch it!!!
All that I can say is that in having open dialogue with all the staff, hopefully without fear of retribution, is a positive step in the right direction. In any industry, communication in both directions, is key to improving employee morale and productivity, so I am hoping and praying, that any issues, within the facility and workforce, can be properly addressed, and necessary changes, be implemented.
Best of luck to you, Dr. Darroux.