Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has disclosed his Government’s intention to provide free medication for cancer patients.
The Prime Minister made this announcement at a town hall meeting in the Community of Wotten Waven on Wednesday June 07, 2017.
“So the Government is now going to take a decision, so those of you suffering from diabetes and cancer, to make those drugs available to our citizens free of charge,” Skerrit said.
This medication, according to the Prime Minister, will be inclusive of an additional five million dollars which has been requested by the Ministry of Health in the upcoming budget.
“In the upcoming budget the Ministry of Health is asking for five million dollars more to buy medicines…On top of what we gave them last year they asking for another five million dollars to buy more medication” Skerrit stated.
He mentioned that part of this request is that a number of people who are suffering from various forms of cancer receive their medication free of charge at the Hospital.
Skerrit said further that the Government recognizes that these drugs are critical to the patient’s wellbeing so as Finance Minister he now has to include five million dollars more in this year’s budget.
As we grow older, we will obviously become ill. Not everyone will contract the identical illness. However, it would be something to look forward to when these diseases will be eradicated, when nationals are taught from youth to adulthood to observe proper nutrition.
The doctors are making a mint on patients’ visits and surgery. The pharmaceutical companies on medication, the latter some of which do not cure patients. It is a sad case.
Precaution is better than cure. At least, people could live longer with little or no illness. Just think, some centenarians are still living with hardly any sort of illness.
At least, those who are in need of medication which is expensive and cannot afford it, some hardly, will get this help from the government.
This sounds like a good start in thinking, but I hope the payment source is sustainable, that medicines include chemo etc. and an office handling this that is not like the red clinic.
But I have to support another person who suggested proper diagnosis and having been a victim of improper management , almost died because I was given a whole week of both heprin and warfarin and when I queried simply summarily discharged and then the cover-up began.
We need doctors who will follow the patients diagnosis and not think they are Gods at the expense of people.
Therefore PM good start , please be not short on the details of this project.
After spending thousands on treatment I know the feeling. A welcome move.
i want DLP who always dress in red ,to think once and for all.all these 17 years you have being running with the pm and his gang of bad boys.did he give you any thing of value beside pit out house ,not a cent to hide in the bank not even a contract with one of the builders he import to Dominica,all he give you is to go after Linton,when you hurt linton he will not stand up for you,he will left you with the bag holding PM is not going to hurt linton when he can let you all do it for him. Linton let you all know what the PM is doing to the countrywhat he and his boys keeping from you,until it was safe for he and his boys to make their move to leave the island,and leave you fight with each other.Let us thank Mr Linton as any true Dominican and let peace unite instead of hurting each other
On the surface it sounds like a great idea, BUT when you look closely, this is a recipe for disaster. Cancer care is expensive, but those who can pay, especially people with insurance should be allowed to pay. Assistance should be provided for those who are unable, following a proper social enquiry for each client, with periodic reviews.Somebody has to pay for the drugs and at this time, it is the underpaid public officer who is bearing the burden of everything.
Help those who need it, but stop giving out freeness like there is no tomorrow.
Thank you.
Where is Skerritt getting all this money to splash around like that.One would think that Dominica has had a sudden windfall of money from petroleum or some other resources.There is a propensity for Skerritt to want to help everyone, pregnant unwed mothers,etc.Not even the developed countries are giving out assistance like Skerritt is seen to be doing but the question remains,is this sustainable? Without thriving productive sectors,I don’t see how that can be sustained in the medium to long term.By the way how many passports have been sold so far this year Skerritt?.The new governor of the central bank advised you as to how to utilize the money for long term development,but the Punjab doctor knows best and is leading Dominica like his pal in Venezuela, towards a failed country.All things will come to an end some time.Thank Lennox Linton and the opposition for the pressure put on Skerritt, because the money pipeline is open, expect for the wrong reasons
I believe in who can afford to pay should pay, who can pay a Lil should pay a lil and who cannot get assistance, health care is expensive and health insurance plans are way to go. More money should be spent on correcting behavior, environmental assessments and mitigation on the cancer causing risk. This Government continues to implement policy on misguided sentiments that has no long term vision for the overall health wealth, development, and prosperity of our country. Nothing is free. There is a cost for production of medicine in research, trial, and development. If government is purchasing it is coming from tax payers money. It is not free. Certainly there are those who need help but just declaring freeness without investment in prevention and correction of contributing factors is a continued lack of foresight. After 17 years where has all this freeness taken us? More people on welfare and a government continued dependency on foriegn crooks and passports sales to meet commitments.
grate gift from Mr linton .if he did not open his mouth, we would not know all these things could have been
done,thank you Linton for speaking and open our eyes and ears
Why don’t they purchase new ct scan machine n Mri machines to test patients instead of giving patients medication for what they do not have. They do not confirm their suspicion by doing the right test..they just give people medication causing them to die then they try to cover it up..one day somebody going to flip on one of those killer doctors
Which good news?? Stupess…a friend passed away n family members could not get any answers concerning cause of death…many letters were written to Ruby Bute , prime minister, ministry of health ..it’s been months no response..they treat people at the hospital for conditions they don’t have n overdose patients with wrong medication then lie to patients concerning cause of death..autopsy report said patient had terminal cancer but when samples were sent overseas for testing it was revealed that there was no terminal camcer…alot of crap taking place at the hospital n they are refusing to give the right information covering up their wrongs..when u seek answers from the government they never respond to their messages..U guys actually think this government truly cares about our health issues?? Stupess
Ungrateful pig
Awesome news. I welcome this PM!
Such great news thanks Mr skerrit
There’s no such thing as a free lunch. Somebody have to pay for that. More details need to be provided.
You don’t be a fool
Although Dominica is poor, it at least attempts to provide care for its people. I’m ashamed to say that the U$A, my country, doesn’t.
And after the CBI money finish what is he going to use to sustain that program, no export only import,
He will cut his **** to maintain such great news
We are not poor. We may just have management issues. We are one of the richest countries in the caribbean in terms of our natural resources. Also when it comes to money its seems we have been rich all along from proceeds of CBI.
Life saved with marijuana:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qqvJOAV7oAc
Dominica needs more herbalists.
Start teaching this from primary school upwards.
This needs to be embedded in our society.
Good news. The DLP continues to support the people. Looking forward to these developments.
I not a supporter but when it good you have to say it good. After the yes we care program this one is excellent. Excellent job and perfect news for those suffering and can’t afford.
Then after the CBI money finish what is SKERRIT Mr PM going to use to keep the program going? I am waiting for a reply fr. U all his loyal supporters
Excellent Mr. PM!
This is welcome, of course, However, that service is already available free of charge to patients below the age of 18 and over 60. I wish the P.M. would have been more specific. He refers to medicines but not treat ment such as chemotherapy, radiation and surgery. Does the reference to Medicines refer to opiates (pain relievers) only for example? And how about palliative care. I know we are limited in what we can do but it would be very helpful to spell out exactly what the free package entails, not least for those who are unfortunate enough to suffer from this dreadful disease.
Ok that is great news!!
The US Medical Board has finally admitted that Marijuana cures Cancer.
Quote the relevant reference and source bro. and I might start to believe you. I know it gives relieve, but so do may other drugs. I would like to see the real hard evidence though and a statement like yours is not sufficient for me. Sorry.
Well Tjebe Fort, After you go through your chemo and take all your prescribed medications and are on the brink of death, i hope then it wont be too late before you convince yourself. Stange thing is that if i said that Honey and Lemon Grass can cure or prevent cancer you would be more prone to believe me. I think it is the legal/illegal stigma that may have you perplexed. I could be wrong. However keep in mind that both are natural. So i cocaine which is used in a multitude of prescribed medications like Novacane for example. Novacane is used by dentists. There are also medications made from Marijuana, I think we need to total reeducation of drugs in dominica. Instead of teaching us to be afraid of them, we need to learn about them, and how the pharmaceutical industry is getting rich off of the same things we think is illegal but presented to us in a different form. I still say marijuana can kill cancer sells and preserve the bodies molecular system. .amgst other things.
I agree:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d0fNx8Jlqik
This is such a good thing for all the nation because non of us know when it is going to hit us.
When does this take effect?
Just before the next elelction.
Kharie, It will take effect when the CBI money finish and the scoundrels stop buying D/ca dip. passport
WOW .Thats a big one.
Thanks
That is what the actress said to the bishop!
very nice PM
this is the most positive i ever read coming from the Prime Minister