Eight thousand four hundred and eighty-eight (8,488) Dominicans have so far received medical attention as part of a nine-day health mission to the island conducted by the United States Navy’s Hospital Ship, USNS Comfort.
Director of Primary Health Care Services, Dr. Laura Esprit made that disclosure while addressing the closing ceremony of the mission held at the Acute Psychiatric Unit (APU) building, at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on Tuesday.
The ship, which is the largest floating hospital ship in the US, has been in Dominica since August 27th and is currently docked at Dame Eugenia Charles Boulevard in Roseau.
“For Dental services: 574 patients, optometry: 1,186 patients, general medicine and in sub-specialties: 4,125 patients, pediatrics: 1,602 patients, physiotherapy: 494 patients and a total of 457 patients seen at Portsmouth yesterday totaling 8,488 patients thus far,” she explained.
According to Dr. Esprit with a population of 70,000 persons on the island, “we swore the entrances at the two medical sites, ‘supported millions.’”
The two main medical sites she referred to0 were located at the Dominica Grammar School in Roseau and the Roosevelt Douglas Primary School in Portsmouth.
“Certainly it was encouraging since the public became health conscious and decided to seek care from the international medical professionals on this mission…,” she said.
In terms of surgery, Dr. Esprit revealed that the estimated figure provided by the USNS was 100, “however 118 surgeries have been done thus far as we anticipate a total of 125 by the end of tomorrow (Wednesday).”
She added, “Following July 27th the US Team dedicated themselves to having medical assessments done on an average of 1,200 clients daily.”
Additionally Dr. Esprit said, “Yesterday being the seventh day of the mission the US Team has provided a range of services through our public ranging from women’s health, pediatrics, general medicine, ENT, urology, cardiology, dermatology…plastic surgeries, dental and physiotherapy, radiological and diagnostic imaging among others.”
According to her, it has been estimated that approximately 60 CT scans and 15 ultrasounds will be performed upon completion of the mission.
“The US team was instrumental in facilitating the backlog of patients awaiting diagnostic services at the Princess Margaret Hospital and therefore assisted greatly in decreasing the number of patients awaiting long appointments for these services,” she noted.
Dr. Esprit highlighted three challenges that made the mission successful.
“The management of the massive crowd that showed up every day at the medical sites was a challenge for us, however everyday staff built on their skills from their activities of the previous day,” she stated.
Secondly she said some patients were sent home after the capacity to be seen on any given day was exceeded, however she stated that “the USNS Team facilitated us by increasing the number of clients seen on a daily basis in an attempt the serve the Dominican public.”
Dr. Esprit continued, “Lastly working with multiple organizations for the first time was an initial challenge. However it was a very rewarding experience since were able to forge new alliances and even friendships for the common goal of the mission.”
Captain Sam Hancock, Mission Commander of USNS Comfort, had this to say, “By tomorrow afternoon when we close operation at our medical and engineering sites and through our combined efforts working together with our local volunteers, our non-governmental organization members, medical staff and our Dominican counterparts we expect to serve nearly 10,000 patients and perform over 120 surgeries on board comfort and cover dozens of topics during subject matter expert exchanges as well as complete multiple engineering projects at the Office of Disaster Management Headquarters building.”
In fact, Captain Hancock noted, that the team on board the USNS Comfort are very pleased with their first visit to Dominica which will, “enabled us to strengthen our ties and support our enduring partnership between the United States and Dominica.”
“We look forward in visiting again in the very near future,” he said.
The USNS Comfort will be on island until the 6th of August.
Heartful much thanks to you’ll guys on board the USNS Comfort Ship.
If, Dominicans have to sit and wait on Sker for good medical care all of them will die down there. He have enough money where he can call his helicopter to take him anywhere around the world for medical care……Rise up my people…….
So sad my dear. When will you say thank you. God does not like ungrateful persons. At the least, remember the men given the talents. The negative and unprofitable servant hid the talent given and even complained to his master. The result those who invested were given charge of cities (more responsibilities ). The unprofitable one will be cast into the lake of fire. Do you want to remain negative. Look at the number who were 9,000 persons were attended too. Isn’t that Great. Can I hear an AMEN from :The Truth” Be thankful and grateful.
they came to spread disease covertly …
Thank you sooooo much i wish you all the very best!!!!!!
Skerrit need to apologize to Obama.
Am happy that they got care and thank the caregivers.
This is an astounding number of people, in relation to the population. It speaks volumes.
Dominica has a very large number of sick people, many of which are too poor to visit private doctors.Additionally the high level of unemployment on island, means that most people do not have enough disposable income even to feed themselves.It’s a crooked country where the greedies are snatching erything, and the ordinary man has to beg.THANK YOU TO THE UNITED STATES!!!!!!!
Hmmm, Dominica nice , things going good , but hear and see the number of people that run for freeness. I hope the government is taking note . That sends a clear picture that people cannot afford heath care in Dominica. Even the medical professionals should take note , the visit and medicines are so expensive, only one or two will allow you to pay them by a plan or later , and after they have taken all your money because of several visit , then they would offer you a free visit .So after Skerrit say all he had to say about Obama and America , see where the very people who voted and support him went ? Even the king of the PALACE went for freeness ,Hmmm. Hope we don’t forget in the next five years .People like to say we bringing politics in everything, but what those people who I think are brainwashed labourites fail to see , politics build or break a country so politics is always involved.. In my eyes now more than ever our country is broken. Thank you America for helping my…
we thank you so very much. Although in retrospect I should have taken the opportunity to seek medical care, I am elated at all the many people who were served with professional care. I am hoping that best practices will transfer to our medical practitioners here., as they often times lack the professionalism or skill to serve their clients. Thanks to ALL those who made this possible.
Thank God for America. I could not have said it better One Destiny.
Unfortunately you are correct,it is accross the board. Alot of service providers operate as if they are doing the customers a favor ,when in actuality it is a two way street.
just a few observations to share, I know that some people are most grateful for the ship’s docking here and I applaud them for taking full advantage of this opportunity . It may well show that the ship’s coming serves as an “exposer” of our poor quality health care services on Island. I see absolutely no reason why the Govt of Dominica should be reveling in the success of the Ships call at our ports. This just shows the lack of medical infrastructure and services on Island. After so many years in office and millions spent on insignificant campaigning our hospitals and health services still lack the proper drivers to keep this sector of the GOVT afloat. As a doctor recently said ,” don’t you see where the ministers run to whenever they’re ill? Not the PMH”. Dominicans , I applaud you for taking full advantage of the Ship’s call. But now is time to do some soul thinking , ask yourselves the pertinent questions .ARE we being cared for in DOMINICA?
The ship docks at Trinidad and Jamaica for the same purpose and the number of visits is tremendous, what is your take on that? What do you have to say to their government?
He has nothing to say about jurisdictions that he is not a citizen of. Besides, their health care system is far better than ours so I don’t think people will stampede like in Dominica where the service just isn’t there. Stop being silly asking silly hypothetical questions and face the realty.
Not enough by far, time does not always permit a run to the States, Quadalope,Martnique or England.
I hope Skerrit does an official ceremony to thank the US,and he stops the bad talking about America,where he owns property.