Health Minister, Cassani Laville, has expressed concerns over the issuance of a letter to numerous doctors at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) regarding the suspension of elective surgeries due to the lack of medical supplies.
In a statement he promised an investigation saying the letter was issued without proper authorization, consultation and approvals. He also blamed the matter on the lack of communication and oversight in stock management within the hospital administration.
“Today, I came to discuss the implication of this incident and the steps that must be taken to resolve the situation,” Laville said. “I must express my deep concern that a decision of this magnitude, directly impacting patients care was weighed without proper consultation and approvals.”
A memo from the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Ruby Blanc, dated January 11, was last week circulated to doctors who perform surgery at the facility saying such procedures will be suspended.
“I regret to inform you that due to diminished supplies of pethidine as well as spinal needles, elective surgery list will have to be temporarily suspended effective Monday, January 15, 2024,” the memo reads.
The memo surfaced on social media late last week and soon began spreading like a wild fire, shocking many Dominicans.
This appeared to have taken Laville by surprise since according to him, he met with the management of the hospital twice within the past eight days – with prime minister Roosevelt Skerrit on January 5 and on January 8 – and the matter was never brought to his attention.
“It is deeply concerning that I would find out about this on social media,”he said in his statement.
According to him, the Dominica Hospitals Authority Act of 2021 gives the hospital’s board the primary function of coordinating the administration of the authority , “not withstanding its is the board’s responsibility to make recommendations to the minister on the development of the authority and the services provided at designated health facility.”
“It is therefore alarming to witness such a crucial decision being made without following the established guidelines of the Act,’ he stated. ‘The lack of communication regarding the shortage of essential medical supplies also highlights an oversight in stock management of essential supplies. Furthermore, the absence of documented decisions, alerts or recommendations leading up to this situation is particularly concerning.”
Laville said the respective agencies within the health ministry will be held accountable for the situation.
“I have given the mandate for the implementation of the electronic, logistic management system be operational by February 16 and the responsible agencies within the ministry will be held accountable,” he warned.
The health minister stated that given the gravity of the situation he has asked the hospital’s board, the CEO and the Hospital Medical Director to convey a meeting to address the following issues:
1. The unauthorized issuance of the letter.
According to him, this needs to be investigated to “address the circumvention of proper approval protocols in the issuance of the letter related to hospital services.”
2. Lack of communication and oversight.
“We must examine the failure in communication and oversight regarding the stock management of essential medical supplies,” he said.
3. Documentation of decisions.
“It is essential to establish a documented progression of decisions, alerts and recommendations related to stock shortages and critical issues” Laville explained
4. Patient confidentiality.
“We need to foster a culture of confidentiality as patients confidential is sacrosanct,”he stated.
He also said that he has requested feedback from the board within two days.
“In which time we will launch an investigation,” Laville stated.
“This time line allows for prompt resolution, effective communication to address these pressing issues with a clear distinction of how the system allows doctors the privilege of conducting private surgeries in the hospital setting. However, under certain circumstances it becomes necessary to temporary suspend these private operations to meet the demands of performing critical and elective surgeries within the public hospital system, especially when stock availability is low or when there are marked increases in urgent cases. These measures are standard practice aimed at ensuring the equitable delivery of health care services.”
Laville indicated that he also wanted to clarify the fact that not all surgeries will be affected.
“To avoid any misconceptions I would like to clarify that the suspension of elective surgeries does not apply to all surgical procedures but primarily affects non urgent procedures that can be delayed,” he stated.
He said that the meeting he requested between the board, CEO and Hospital Medical Director aims to address many of the issues mentioned in his statement and prevent similar incidents occurring in the future.
“The Ministry of Health remains committed to providing quality medical services while upholding proper governance and transparency,” Laville remarked.
People are dying, falling like flies as soon as they’re admitted, with no follow-up, no investigation and no reprimand. However, a letter is circulated amongst the public and it’s a full on investigation, jik giving the board time-frame to respond… yessa
let all private doctors pay the hospital for using the facility and supplies for their private surgical procedures.
I hope all u realize that u all lies will catch up with this party…the head is the master minder of lies…so birds of a feather…
the mini star which is not a star is concern about an informative letter that was rightly issued but d mini star is certainly not corcern about the lack at the mogueputal..beauriful flowers with no scent plus no practical talent..
this minister has never planted a garden..if and wen dollar die, u are useless, i sure miss laville taught you not to follow thief but she never warn you about teeth tooth and thief in high position…i could see that you are a big child with little real life experience..chill my boi..chill..dno..let me tok
Cassani must be shocked because you Iamanidiot is a F++++++ liar,you must go to the hospital to see what is happen.The majority of Dominicans know you and the UWP acolytes are F++++++ liars.Local Dominicans have medical insurance you expect the head of government not to have health insurance?.This government has in place an EMERGENCY medical fund to fly people overseas for medical treatment.Ask Sam and Gabriel Christian,ask Dale Dangleben.You know that but tormented people like you are just plain WICKED.DNO will never take you to the cleaners for those deliberate lies.But again,I doubt you live in Dominica or have been to the DCFH since it was built.I bet you will say the EMERGENCY medical fund is for Labourites.
So the shortage of needed supplies is not a problem, but proactively notifying doctors of the shortage before they schedule an operation makes you want to hold the messenger accountable?
Boy listen to yourself and check you ego in “de pot’chambre by de door!”
Before the messenger tells doctors that there is none and further, that their non-emergency surgeries will be postponed, she ought to have assured herself that not only there is none in the storeroom but none is available and accessible to the Hospital and that “none” necessitates the postponement and a formal letter notifying of the same. You see all that the “messenger” had to do BEFORE she prepared and dispatched that letter? Before! This is what the Minister is saying.
You know. The nerve of these incompetent fools.
It just shows that these jokers are all about themselves. I guess if my boy gets a burst toe, he will poor koowi overseas for treatment.
So you go to Jolly to buy gauze and dressing,after you buy it what do you do with it?You take it back to the hospital and tell the nurse to dress your wound,or you go home and ask
the aholes you have at your home to dress you ?These UWP acolytes are so damn stupid the lie without thinking.Every day there are hundreds of people at the hospital care for free medical care.Go see for yourself instead of gossiping,spreading false news and propaganda.Ask the diabetes patient where do they get most of their FREE Pmedication.The reality of the situation is not posting BS on DNO it’s going to the hospital.Liar.The problem in Dominica is when UWP acolytes are put in a position of trust,they betray and undermine the system.
Our medical system is more in the interest and profit of the Dominican people that the American system is to Americans.People choose to bring their supplies to the hospital.Go to the hospital and you L C Mathew and the other lying UWP acolytes and see how the people are destroying the hospital,toilet,chair,doors,stealing toilet paper placed in the wash rooms.Medicine is free at the hospital,a lot of people buy because of time,they do not like to wait.The medicine you cannot get at the hospital you buy.You L C Mathew based on your comment you have never been to the hospital,you spend too much time gossiping.The government should dismiss all those responsible.UWP is a poison in every department in government,their aim is to bring down the government.Dismiss them from the police force,dismiss them from the nursing service,dismiss them from the teaching service,dismiss them from the fire service.When those crooks and traitors are found smoke them out of their holes.They are only a handful.
So being at the hospital.twice.what does.this have to do with everybody’s work or job or job description.
This shows the type of work culture where.wveryrhing the minister has to be. told – the politician. Do you not see that miceo.management does not work? do you not see employing people who you have to always tell what to do is just not effective?
Hire people who can do the work.
Cassani lose supper to which Linton?And lose constituency to who,surely not Bosso.You Bwa sound like the lady from Mahaut who was deported from the USA for drugs and child abuse after 20 years.Now she is blaming Skerrit for her criminal activities and failure in the USA.You sound like her son.Cassani should carry out an investigation into the matter,let the chips fall where it may,and heads should roll.Too much F++++++ nonsense happening it this country and the bloody government talking BS .It is time to get rid of crooks and traitors in high position of trust.Fire all traitors and send them home,dismiss them.DLP cannot lose election anytime soon.Anybody who try to bring this country down exile them.
so you figure there are crooks and traitors on your bossman team eh
if you bold enough tell Skerrit nuh!
you don’t need to tell us ……we know dat already and we know that you knew dat all along
join de gang and complain about Skerrit government talking BS
Cassani is a joke
He can’t fire anyone…..de board and de executive have their functions
he who laughs last will laugh de best……..this will just go quiet.
Cassani really went over his head in an overambitious manner like his boss
Dr Blanc did nothing wrong man!
This guy should be completely preoccupied with rectifying the unacceptable present site job at the hospital. Throwing home all not correct anything nor above you if your gross incompetence.
When things go well at the hospital you are quick to hog the praise. Conversely, when things go wrong the buck stops with you. A good leader takes responsibility when things go wrong and gives his subordinates most of the praise when things go right.
For using others as scapegoats for the debacle at the hospital, Minister Laville has proven himself to be noting but a cowardly, spineless, rogue minister.
It is a shame first time i have heard health care go down in DA. i voted labor 3 terms they cannot get that x again. cassani RFA nurses and Doctors in possie crying . They have to keep telling patients they dont hv anything. RFA hospital in possie infested with mold what all u doing mold is danger . The staff in a little cozy room for casulty to try to help but the cant cause possie have nothing. wake up my people we dying under these manipulators
Laville, you are nothing than a damn puppet in Roosevelt clown show!
How can you make such a stupid comment about letter was not authorized.
The nation must be informed of your incompetence since they say you are minister of health.
In that case you are responsible to ensure that there is a sufficient supply of all the medicines needed to facilitate patients in emergency, and none emergency admittance at the hospital.
Had Roosevelt not been a damn crook, and knew how to function as the administrator of a country, he would have already fired you for the blonder you perpetrated on the people of the country!
What crap investigation are you talking about?
Are you trying to impress yourself and the rest of your tribe?
Anything you intend to investigate, you already have the answers, because you, Roosevelt, and the others in his corrupt cabal knows; more than two billion dollars of passports money are in the pockets of Roosevelt friends.
Investigate yourselves, you damn hypocrite !
Cont:
It takes money to run a country: But rather than using some of the sale of the nation passport money to buy medicine to treat the sick; there are foreigners; Roosevelt friends with billions of dollars in foreign banks in their name which belong to Dominica!
If Roosevelt die today, the billions of belonging to the nation will be forfeited. Right at this moment there should be another civil war, another riot as in 1979 to effectively remove Roosevelt and people like you out of Dominica politics, because you all are not accomplishing anything t except living off the blood of the poor of the country.
You all are human blood suckers, you are all parasites; born with a parasitic nature!
Who the hell can you investigate?
You who are suppose to ensure that the hospital is equip to serve and treat people, and Roosevelt who gives away Billions of dollars to his friends and himself, emptying treasury whey there is no money to pay for medication?
Man shut-up!
Admin: you fixed it; the reply link is working properly.
Thanks.
Ahh, there we have it. Keep the dirty laundry covered so no one will know about it, and if someone is brave enough to do the right thing, they looking to crucify them. Your investigation should be about how we got to this condition, rather than who authorized what. Your investigation should be about how we can prevent this from happening again, rather than looking for a scapegoat. Small minds in a small country controlled by a small man. What a SHAME!
If that is news to you I guess you never go to the hospital and you and your family get flown out. You head padna say he have insurance and he can fly out his children. Bro that is old news, Hospital have no dressing, no paracetamol, no sheet, no medicine, people family and friends been going to Jolly and Bullseye every day to get what they need. How you acting if you shocked, well if I know that…and you shocked, best they take me to be Minister of Health cause I know your job better than you.
They never know nothing, i’m a nobody and I knew of that since last year. What for them to know they never know.
It’s not today, if you get a little cut your family have to run Jolly to get Gauze and dressing cause the hospital has none.
All modern hospitals nowadays you simply get admitted to the hospital and they provide you with the basics such as a bed with sheets a gown, toiletries etc, but here in Dominica you have to bring your own supplies what kinda hospital is that! They do even have adequate bandages!
Cassani, Cassani, Cassani boy take a chill pill and look before you leap.
I see Lennox Linton just ate your breakfast, lunch and dinner and only left you with coffee and snacks to munch on
. Partner STOP being a stooge for the failed cabal. You know darn well that Dr. Blanc is within her authority to write that letter but wanted to play DICTATAAR. Boy, be careful because you already lost your constituency you dont want to loose the likkle job SOS gave you. Mr. Whiteless is rejoicing on your blunder 
. Go ask his main partner in the office what was his comment when he heard you on radio making an AHARSE of yourself 
.
What a failed government. SKERRO and Cassani must go! Leave our Dr. Blanc alone souplay. This time she is right….period!
Ever since this egoistic, narcissist; was rumored to be the heir-apparent to replace “Starboy of Stupidity” at the helm of this dysfunctional DLP ca-bal; he seems to believe that Dominica is a piece of property bequeathed him by i don’t know whom. My brother you are nothing more than another lying insect, just like your other cabinet colleagues, not surprised Starboy is your mentor; but let me sound a caution of warning to you bro; whatever your plans and nefarious ambitions are, it’s not going to happen; not over the dead body of “patriotic” Dominicans including me.
The problem I have with this Labour party government is that they are too damn slack.I have voted this Labour party over and over again,never thought they would be so damn slack.UWP supporters are doing and saying what they want and NOTHING is being done.To hell with democracy,get rid of all
the rats,cockroaches and bedbugs.
ok you admit dlp slack
but you can’t say good bye to de slackness
you can’t say good bye to Skerrit who is de head of de slackness
Cassani is slack eh
de man suffering from de symptoms of being a square peg in a round hole.
Skerrit has his plans no doubt but they must be backfiring now
Do you know which slack peg hired Cassani for de post of Health Minister?
Should slack Cassani go? what about his employer……how do you rate him?
dat slack peg is a casualty
Beware of more slack pegs…….you must know them already
de slackness starts from de top ….admit it
Most profound statement coming from you Lin Clown; Starboy must get rid of all DLP rats;cockroaches and bed bugs “beginning with you” for Dominica to grow.
“Starboy must get rid of all DLP rats; cockroaches and bed bugs “beginning with you” for Dominica to grow.”
Aren’t you one of those who came here repeatedly crying and bellyaching about the AG referring to Annette Sandford as a “drumstick?”
Wait one minute Mr. Laville, the letter was issued without proper authorization, consultation and approvals? Who is responsible for this? And why are you speaking?
I thought the hospital is being run by a Board of Directors, or maybe I am wrong.
I somehow don’t think that Dr. Blanc is that crazy to issue such a letter on her own.
These guys are jokers. Does Cassini know there is no toilet paper at the hospital? Does he also know there are no bed sheets at the hospital?
He is coming out guns blazing pretending this type of shortage is news to him. Now he is blaming the doctor for stating the obvious.
They can fool their idiot supporters, but they sure can’t fool anyone with half a brain.
All the fake outrage is just a distraction.
Zandoli, my understanding is that there is a shortage of Dominica passports also!
If that is true one will remember I always argue that anybody, prime minister, or government who based an countries economy on the sale of passports must be a fool!
If as I got it is true, it is alleged that Dominica government owes the Canadian company which prints Dominica passports, quite a few millions of dollars for services rendered (that is for passports ) already printed, and I supposed was already delivered.
Ours is a failed state: Dominica is bankrupt, the only thing left to happen is a total collapse of the country. This guy is talking a whole pile of bull that cannot help the country; commenting garbage such as this: ” In a statement he promised an investigation saying the letter was issued without proper authorization, consultation and approvals. ”
You see how ignorant and stupid these people are?
He is suppose to be the the minister of health, yet he it appears it went above his…
The puppet minister’s aggressive reaction to the letter signed by 14 medical professionals is more evidence of a failed state dictatorship in action.
Your own wife on the board at the hospital. How come you acting so surprised? This is nothing new to us. Over and over we have experienced similar instances and will continue to. State of the art you all say. healthcare paramount to that of 1st world countries SKerrit like to say. Fools if you believe these people.
What a fool! the only concern you should have is to ensure that the hospital is well equipped, well stocked with the tools equipment, medicine and human resources to serve the public. Anything else is a fools errand.
Another nuisance added to the mosquitoes, biting gnats, blackmore, Roosevelt and now this clown.
Stop the rhetoric in the HOUSE OF ASSEMBLY to do Dominica’s work effectively.
You all are a living failure to Dominica – you bunch of soulless people.