Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has expressed concerns over the commercialization of health care in the Caribbean and hopes that the matter can be addressed by international health organizations.
“The commercialization of health care has certainly hit the Caribbean and it is making it extremely difficult for the average person to contract the kind of services required to remain healthy,” the prime minister said when he accepted the letters of credentials of Dr. Merle Lewis, the newest PAHO/WHO Representative to Barbados and the Eastern Caribbean on Friday.
According to PM Skerrit in recent times many Dominicans have had to access medical services abroad which have become an expensive undertaking for individuals and the state. “We do fall sick from time to time and when one gets on the hospital bed and the doctor expresses what medical treatment you have to go through, the cost of it is very often too much for the average person to handle,” he pointed out.
The prime minister questioned why more Dominicans are not being treated on the island. “I get the sense that doctors did more 30 years ago with fewer resources. I find over the last five years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of persons requiring medical services out of Dominica. Our medical facilities are better than they were before and we have access to improved medication. I am not a medical doctor but I am asking myself, why can’t some of those things be done here?”
He added, ““We have an issue with women who have undergone surgery who require post surgery treatment. If that person does not receive that post surgery treatment what happens to them. The cost of post surgery attention can be high. I believe that it is something that PAHO may want to look at”
Prior to assuming this appointment to Barbados, Dr.Lewis served as the Representative of the Pan American Health Organization and the World Health Organization to the Commonwealth of the Bahamas and the Turks and Caicos Islands, from February, 2008 until her re-assignment to this new posting.
She assumed her duties on August 10, 2011.
so i ws waiting for the opportunity about health topic.
i read in the newspaper that the beggars and mentally ill will be taken off the streets and put in the new grotto home when tourists are here and put back on the streets when the ship gone back. and that its not a place for rehabilitation but just a resting place.
who does our leaders care about? the mentally ill and beggars? or the tourists?
just saying
tourists see beggars and mentally ill to amount to our entire population where they come from.
care for our people please
The PM has the well being of Dominicans in his heart. The problem is we have too many GPs and not enough consultants. We need more specialists. New equipment in the hands of those who cannot use them is a waste of time. Perhaps with the new equipment we can arrange for specialists to come here periodically to treat our patients. God help us all.
@Alice, maybe its people like you the PM has advising him. Too many GP, not enough specialist, the best way forward is to import specialist. Well this is what has been happening, we have Chinese and Cubans running our hospital.
Why not offer these young GP’s scholarships to go specialize, most of them cannot afford to go further once they land in Dominica, there $3,400 dollar salary cannot buy a proper sandwich for them to eat after a long hard month of work.
This would prove much more beneficial for Dominicans than this 25 million malace!
Alice… you is a sackway maychaisetay lol….
the excuses allu making for skerro eh pal hhhmmm
we need the tools,specialist,operators and techs..can u imagine i hav 2 go overseas for an MRI..
Ok, I saw it…sorry
DNO where is my first comment on this subject? I’m just wondering, hope you all are still moderating….
it is very easy to adrest if wp put 5oc on rum and any unnecessary item and that can work
Just name it and
Just name it and I will bet it is commercial. Capitalism has taken over and with it comes the adoration of the mighty dollar, the crimes, the drugs and many more evils. We all know it is the root cause. From humanitarian to commercial.
Some staff at the St. Margaret’s Hospital are a nightmare! There is no proper organization or structure for patients who attend the hospital. Many of the nurses are rude and aggressive I am not sure why! Maybe lack of pay, training or motivation. Several of the wards are over crowded and it is like being in a waiting room with beds all over the place and no privacy for the patients. The families of the patients have to feed the patient bring sheets, make the beds and wash the patient. The facilities are dreadful. This is mainly why people choose to go to other islands at any cost rather than go the St. Margaret’s Hospital. I think the PM should address the problem with health care here on Dominica. It is a known joke that if you are unlucky enough to go to St. Margaret’s Hospital you may never come out alive!!
so why u cannot handle it urself why is always INTERNATIONAL people that have to handle the problem ur the pm thats ur job to tackle and talk about not others
I am really unhappy about those comments made by the Prime Minister.
Our main hospital looks just like these make shift hospitals in rural poor Africa and then we hearing talk about 25 million dollar palace, villas and sky scrapers and million dollar homes being built. Then you want to tell Trinidad and Barbados how much to charge for use of their facility? Isn’t that ridiculous?
We have money we can build a 25 million dollar palace for no obvious reason and then you are trying to have other countries provide medical care for the people that voted for you to take care of business on their behalf for free…come on.
Here is a way forward Mr. P.M if you are interested in fixing this health system
1. Get rid of those persons you have in these key health care positions, they are not advising you and they are not doing their job.
2. Invest some money in sending these trained Cuban doctors to specialize, this is the best investment you can make in the health of our present and future generation.
3. Invest in a brand new state of the art hospital, new equipment, and just the works, the entire thing, a multi purpose medical facility.
You will levy fees as you see appropriate, and you can tie your new medical facility with health tourism.
Maybe then Trinidadians and Bajans will come to us for medical care, because I think we have more trained doctors in Dominica per capita than anyone of these countries and then they can also get to enjoy some of our hot springs and rivers which will be just the finishing touch that they need.
Where there is no vision the people perish!!!
PS: I hope Dr. Lewis is reading my comments so she too can tell you what you need to hear.
Anyway this prime minister not easy. I think that your Chief Medical Officer, Hospital Director and all those in these key health offices need to speak to you.
In case you have not noticed wake up its 2012. First of all this is untrue to say that the health system is better than it use to be couple years ago. Couple years ago, we got paracetemols at the hospital, we did not get a prescription to go buy them in the drugs store. Our emergency room was better, have you noticed Imary and glover lately and do I have to mention Alford ward. Have you been to the make shift Intensive Care Unit!!!!!
You got alot of nerves Mr. Skerrit. You need to give health care the attention it deserves Mr. Skerrit before this health situation gets out of hand. Persons are getting more sick yes, our lifestyle has changed and we have new strains of diseases surfacing, this all makes perfect sense for the era we’re living in, so we must move towards providing the necessary care for our patients in OUR COUNTRY.
Fix the health system, apparently those persons that you’ve appointed in these supervisory positions are afraid to talk to you and to tell you the truth about our health system. Recently a certain person had to go to her home for an IV for a patient on the ward, get real people and stop this dirty politics I am so fed up because I am very concerned, God forbid something serious happen to another family member of mine in this country and no way of getting out overnight they are going to stay there and die, this is the reality we are facing.
STOP PLAYING POLITICS SKERRIT ABOUT EVERYTHING AND FIX THE HEALTH SYSTEM IN DOMINICA. IF IT IS ONE ISSUE THAT I HOLD VERY CLOSE TO MY HEART IS THIS LACKING HEALTH SYSTEM BECAUS I HAVE LOST A VERY DEAR PERSON TO ME BECAUSE OF THIS SAME SHITTY HEALTH PROBLEM IN DOMINICA.
THE POOR PEOPLE OF DOMINICA NEEDS TO VOTE YOU OUT OF OFFICE FOR NOTHING MORE BUT THIS, THEY NEED NO OTHER REASON, BECAUSE THEY ARE REALLY THE ONES CLOSER TO THE KITCHEN IN THAT AREA.
The 27 million should have gone to create a state of the art hospital center, however, the chinese have spent their money on their state palace.
We need the facilities, the personnel to man them, and the finance to pay for it all. Who is gonna pay? Health care is basically free , so how are the funds to be generated? If we want the service we need to pay, whether its a health insurance policy or similar we need some system inplace to generate finance for health.
Poeple health needs have also changed, hence the health service cannot be the same as 30 years ago. Also records will show there was increase mortality and morbility before from other causes. tIME CHANGES PM NEEDS CHANGE.
I get the sense that doctors did more 30 years ago with fewer resources. I find over the last five years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of persons requiring medical services out of Dominica. Our medical facilities are better than they were before and we have access to improved medication. I am not a medical doctor but I am asking myself, why can’t some of those things be done here?”……..arn’t we supposed to be asking him that?
I guess that the Caribbean is following the footsteps of the so called developed countries. I believe that some doctors are more concerned about money than peoples’ health. In a country like the U.S.A. where there are state of the arts hospitals, there are more sick people than one can imagine and that’s a result of the people’s lifestyle and then the medications that the doctors prescribe have more side effects to cause more ilnesses. It seems that after a while our people will fall prey to death once the monies necessary for their healh won’t be available.
On the other hand, thirty years ago, our people ate healthier, exercised more and were more at peace. There was less fear because there was less violence and crime.
Today, we have followed the footsteps of the so-called developed countries by emulating their lifestyles. Eating fast food, drinking soda and importing the foods we can grow here are part of what causes us to be sick. We should be planting the soil and drinking natural juices instead. Not forgetting our natural water that we have been blessed sith. We have also allowed the television to dictate to us by adopting certain things that we watch. Thirty years ago there was less television or hardly any television on the island.
We were more of a natural people thirty years ago and we did not have all these diseases. We wore our hair natural, used less make-up or hardly any make-up, wore more natural clothes such as cotton, than all these synthetic fabrics.
We are a people of the soil and the sun and have to realise that if we are not in harmony with nature then we are not in harmony with the Creator.
I know that life has become different from what it used to be but we must not forget who we used to be at one time. We must stop letting the outside world dictate to us. If we are independent why can’t we call our own shots?
Oh God, I guess no one advised him that a state of the art hospital was more necessary than a state palace. The Next Level is really something else!!
It’s about time. This has been going on for to long we got people on the island of Dominica not trash on the side of the road.
If Dominica adopted the Integrated Development Plan (IDP), which the EU funded, we would have our priorities better aligned. It’s no use lamenting on the cost of health services in the Caribbean when a State Palace, costing some EC$27 million, is given higher priority than our hospital services in Dominica.
Didn’t my tax dollars pay for members of cabinet to seek ‘preventive’ care oversees? And you are asking ‘why can’t some of these things be done here?’ and speaking of commercialization of health services. You see allu blasted politicians!!
We will have a much healthier people if we eat less animal products. Meat and dairy taste really good but lead many problems. OK, so we’ve been taught that we need animal protein and milk. Studies have shown that animal protein activates the cancer cells in the human body. And milk is only meant to be consumed by babies,
Plant base diet is the way to go.
OK so u don’t believe then think about this, 90% of all medications comes from plants, so let see, you eat the wrong thing get sick & u are given a leaf to make u better.
Really! Yes really!
But I’m not gonna tell u stop eating meat which u should, I haven’t all I’m saying is eat less meat.
Thx pm for presenting the opportunity.
People are seeking treatment elsewhere because they have more knowledge of the treatment options out there. 30 years ago we accepted what treatment was available, now there is more accessible information out there for people to make a more informed choice. And quite frankly some of our services are seriously lacking compared to other parts of the world.
Our medical facilities might be advanced compared to 20 years ago but we are still behind what is termed acceptable standards. We need more and better trained specialist . We need batter and more sofisti cated equipment and technicians to fix and maintain them.In comaparism there were fewer diseases affecting our people before, they ate healthier and live a better life style (healthwise). Our PM needs to realize all these other factors contributing to the increase cost of health care and instead of admitting failure over the last five years he should have pumped the 27 millions state malace funds into the health of his people . A sick population cant work to pay back that 27million dollar burden.
The PM should pay a visit to the Hospital with his sun glasses or eye glasses of, look around, speak to the nurses, doctors and patients and then he will realize why so many people want to get out of Dominica to seek medical attention.
People do not trust the medical services offered in Dominica. The Government needs to pay close attention to the lack of a proper medical facility in Dominica, substandard and out of date equipment, doctors who are demoralized, the complete lack of supplies and the inefficiencies that plague the health system in Dominica
Mr. PM people are going overseas for treatment because they do not have confidence in the treatment they receive in Dominica. When it comes ot medical care, people want the best they can afford. Therefore they will pay what it takes to see a doctor who they believe will give them the best result.
I for one would not stay in Dominica for anything but the most basic treatment. Dominica does not have the facilities or the expertize to handle complicated cases.
What the government the the health providers should be doing is, instead of trying to deal with illnesses as they arise, they need to put the emphasis on prevention so that fewer people will need to go overseas for treatment.
They should encourage people to check their blood pressure, blood sugar, men over 40 should check their prostates. They should encourage people to do a thorough medical check even if they do not have symptoms. If they can catch many of these ailments early, they can deal with them while they are still treatable in the initial stages.
Too often people go to see their doctor when they are too far gone.
So Mr. PM, you are putting the emphasis in the wrong areas. Think prevention and a healthy lifestyle and everything else will fall into place.
We are one of few nations where people still enjoy free health care, even those of us who never paid a dime in taxes. Granted, we do not have jobs, but i’m just saying.
mr p.m this isn’t PAHO’s responsibility… instead of spending 27 million on a state house… why don’t you spend it on health care… why don’t you use it to bring in the much needed equipments to do certain tasks… look into what reasons our people go overseas for treatment and help facilitate the various methods to be treated in dominica… you embarrass me and have been an embarrassment to the wider Dominican population with your vague rambling… it is time we hold those we put in power responsible… did b/dos, trinidad, jamaica wait on PAHO…. is our good friend Cuba waiting on U.S.A to remove the ban in order to provide first class health care….
let me tell you all why the d.l.p has not invested much in health care…. simply because it’s not something you can ‘see’…. they play on the gullible and will spend large sums on state house… why??? because the blind rats will ‘SEEEE” and will vote them… i’ve said and will continue to say… 3 things are used to measure development… 1. health care available to citizens (without health no wealth) 2. Employment for the masses with good paying wages enough to live comfortably 3. Education and it’s resources available to every citizen from kindergarten to adult hood… giving everyone the ability to be on par with the world stage….
i will say we have a so n so… education system… but with Employment and Health…. we are surely lacking… and this is why we are miles behind Barbados and other countries…. no amount of stadiums will change that fact…. so mr pm invest in our health care and keep the funds in dominica…. i’m not buying this cheap shot at PAHO… you are severely lacking fortitude to deal with issues of national importance and this is why i will not be a blind mice or a pawn in your scheme of things….. oh yes your acolytes will thumbs down… that’s cause they don’t even know what’s good for them…
still awaiting moderation????
Well said mouth of the south!! I think this Prime Minister is really taking advantage of Dominicans ignorance.
Barbados said they not even accepting us anymore, so its not about commercialization, every good government would seek to do the best it can to provide first class health care for its populace.
And for the folks that hitting on the health practitioners, I am not saying there are not a few bad eggs at PMH, but majority of the nurses and doctors are trying their best with limited resources.
Government need to meet these workers half way and start by paying them decent salaries, a medical doctor salary in Dominica is $3,400. After paying for your student loan (over $1,000) and an old vehicle if you can afford one (over $1,000)then you are left with nothing. These people are working under very depressing conditions…..come on Mr. P.M after struggling in medical school for years a doctor can’t afford to build a decent home far less for one like yours.
Pm shouldn’t even come and open his mouth with any concerns in regards to the commercialization of any health care because d same 25 million dollars he taking to build the pretty state house he could have invested in into our health care system… That news just upset my Friday afternoon! stupes Mwen bien fache’
PM I share your concern on this one, U see I do agree with you on certain things, just that if i don’t agree I WILL NOT flatter you….now……do something about health care in dominica please, before I fake a maladie and take some pics of the mouldy walls and rust bed frames at the dilapidated PMH and send to DNO…..that is IF dno will be able to post the REAL situation, we already know how they scared of that word REAl already
I don’t we need PAHO for an answer to these questions. Many people are more enlightened now about health issues generally. People are more empowered to ask for help and in some cases support themselves. There is more education about what services are available out there and possible results of seeking such. Doctors are less protective of their own turfs and limits of abilities of services now, than before. there are higher levels of chronic diseases as we take in all of the western culture (including KFC and more driving, less walking). The government is more willing and able to help. Mr PM the red clinic is an encouragement in itself, naturally (not saying its all a bad thing, but an obvious enabler). We do not need experts to tell us these things. What we do need though, is the promised Hospital with all the modern facilities, and the trained staff to use the state of the art equipment. Please tell us what the hold up is.
Exactly why we should have a new hospital instead of a new State House.