Government minister urges medical professionals to “put politics aside”

Dr McIntyre
Dr McIntyre said government is now working to build capacity among health professionals

Government’s Investment Minister, Dr. Colin McIntyre, has advised medical professionals who are employed at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) to put politics aside in the performance of their duties.

“I want to say to the people who work in the hospital, I cherish them…let us take the colour away from the staff of the hospital,” he urged during an interview with the media recently. “You are not for red, or blue or green; when we get sick, we are sick so let us take away the politics in terms of I support a particular party, I am not supporting a particular party – we are supporting providing proper healthcare,” he pointed out.

He said the proposed hospital is a major project which will bring benefits to Dominica and government is now working on building capacity among health professionals.

“What we are working on right now is training the staff, training our doctors our staff, getting our getting our nurses going and I want to say something here that is important to our people especially the staff of the hospital,” he stated. “I cherish the staff of the hospital and I speak here of the doctors, nurses, the ward aids and everyone involved in providing healthcare to Dominica.”

Dr. McIntyre added, “I know they work under tremendous amount of pressure, I know that for sure and of course when people they are ill, their attitudes, they are irritable we have to understand that, but again we have to be humble.”

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42 Comments

  1. JOSH SHAW
    May 17, 2016

    Why cant Asstre act professional?

  2. Nonsense
    May 17, 2016

    Yah but when it comes to promotions and appointments it is ok to be political.

    • RED HOTT
      May 17, 2016

      Are u dumb….. u won’t get appointed bcuz of course ur stupid attitude will get you no where. Like the minister say promote proper healthcare not colour…… promote yourself …….and not the party which you support.

  3. May 17, 2016

    If their is freedom of speech in the country ,why do you want to dictate people when to talk or not.If they take heed to what you are saying ,then you will say the same thing to farmer soon that’s the reason why the police was sent to st.Joseph ,then will be the turn of teachers,fishermen ,shop keepers etc. why do you have the right to talk now and not the others ?Are you sucking a bone? AS long as the people concerned are telling the truth let them talk>

  4. The truth
    May 17, 2016

    You really mean it,why have a top Police Officer on the radio shows every day campaigning for your party and nothing is done about it. Please stop him publicly. I am watching and listening. Others must not do ?

  5. Me
    May 17, 2016

    I suppose the Hippocratic oath does not apply to the treatment of animals??

  6. Locs Girl
    May 16, 2016

    Only medical professionals? Everything is political in that place.

  7. May 16, 2016

    How should a young lady who was a victim of a horrible crime feel when she sees the full weight and support of the Government is behind the accused perpetrator of that crime? Can any of YOU imagine the amount of fright, apprehension and terror that young lady must be going through clearly seeing that the HIGHEST OFFICE OF THE LAND is standing in solidarity behind the perpetrator and not behind HER??? Believing in her heart that for sure there WILL BE NO JUSTICE for HER!!! Imagine the horror of knowing that her reward for being brave and speaking up is simply embarrassment and shame while the reward for the one who did her wrong is praise from her own Prime Minister! My good people of the Soufriere Constituency will you be the voice of this young lady and say to this Government…PLEASE STOP IGNORING ME? Will you use your votes to speak truth to power and to give this young lady hope that Dominicans care about our children? 2016 Send a message and vote them out!!!!

  8. Face the Facts
    May 16, 2016

    Health care and politics should not mix in this respect. Taking care of patients are paramount. Their primary obligation is to ensure that the patients receive proper medical care while doing their utmost as professionals to help restore them to better health.
    There is a time and place for everything. Just as employees must keep personal matters out of the work force, they must also keep politics out of it.
    The problem with some people, as I have noted, if they support a certain Party and others support another Party, just as they hate the Party and members they do not support, they also hate the supporters of the other Party to the point of throwing words, making derogatory comments, innuendos and calling them names. They create enmity over this. They act more like children than children. This is no way to live happily, in harmony and peace with others. They must learn: “Free to agree and disagree amicably.” This is the attitude of sensible and matured adults.

  9. Joan
    May 16, 2016

    I am so disappointed in this man, I am ashamed to say I am related to him. He is from a good Familyhis uncle Dr.McIntary a great doctor would be ashamed of his accomblishments . You are liability to your country as a minister.

    • gareth
      May 17, 2016

      you are not related to this man if you cannot write properly. the mcintyres are not a dumb family. he is a veterinarian surgeon if you have forgotten..

    • RED HOTT
      May 17, 2016

      Joan you can never ever be apart of the McIntyre Family.. Are u derange. Go find your family. McIntyre’s don’t bring down each other. Thats were your lie comes up. I think you should visit Dr benji as your looking for your identity. BTW Mr McIntyre is very proud of all his kids. You can’t even spell McIntyre and u related to them…..girl bye

  10. May 16, 2016

    say this to Inspector Cleville Mills. once you are supporting the labor party you can be a political activist openly but once you are on the other side then it is forbidden. this not fair, what is good for the goose is good for the gander.

  11. island girl
    May 16, 2016

    Yes well said ,The attitude of some of the nurses is horrible
    I can only speak of my experiences ,I don’t know if it is politics
    or not that cause them to behave that way or it is the condition
    under which they are working or the salary but some of them
    attitude makes Florence Nightingale tumble in her grave to be a nurse
    one has to be kind and compassionate .Again I am talking about my experience

  12. Concern D/can
    May 16, 2016

    Roosevelt skerrite and de labor party involve politics in everything, now the damage is done all you crying; tatoe tatoe!

  13. Mr. John Red
    May 16, 2016

    I agree completely. Hon. Minister, we are only red, blue or green when one has to be promoted.

    • Me
      May 17, 2016

      Well said. So true!

  14. viewsexpressed
    May 16, 2016

    “………………….Medical professionals to “put politics aside”….
    LOL…LOL….Starting with you Dr. McIntyre The day you put aside the day I join you. That is the best medical prescription you have offered to Dominicans since your unfortunate association with Skerrit and this corrupt Labour Party Government.

    When you ready call me.

  15. Faceup
    May 16, 2016

    Collin Garson, I visited that hospital and it was so scary that I had to run away.. How many terms that you guys are in power? Elas Elas ZOR WICKED

  16. another SEXUS- humming bird killer ask Johnson
    May 16, 2016

    You are a Vet- goats ,sheep, fowls, pigs cows, etc ,etc don’t vote Colin my old classmate.
    Surfice to add you are the Neo RED weren’t you Green? Converted to keep ur economy a float? If you were out of politics as you are erging would you be Neo red or still Green.
    GREEN AT HEART RED in Shell like the shell companies set up to front all forms of corruption.

    • RED HOTT
      May 17, 2016

      Whats your point really…..uwp is dead….u know when u die u turn blue thats u all so he went from green to red…..there is no green what u want him to vote the dead blue…..u Dominicans are so silly…..jealousy…… yes his a vet ,doesn’t change the fact his a Dr… i take it ur nobody alas poor pity…..dont be jealous when ur classmate does better than you.Just go ask him for a scholarship to go study maybe you can become something by 60….loser

  17. John Jay
    May 16, 2016

    Is he the Health minister. These should be for the health minister.

    • cary
      May 17, 2016

      he is a top-class surgeon who has been a go-to choice for many on the islands for years and has two siblings with more experience than anyone else on the island…so i think he can speak on my behalf

      • Me
        May 17, 2016

        He sounds more educated than Roosevelt Skerrit so it’s ok then for him to speak on the P.M’s behalf?

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        May 17, 2016

        Well Gary if Colin is a top class surgeon what the hell is he doing in politics when he should he by using his skills to help the sick.

        By the way is a human physician or is he into husbandry: a veterinary?

      • RED HOTT
        May 17, 2016

        Gary we love you but his a Vet…u all starting to mix the family…..omg there so talented….great family….love them

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        May 18, 2016

        “Cary we love you but his a Vet…u all starting to mix the family…..omg there so talented….great family….love them”

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahaha!

        Gary if I directed my first comment to you ignore it: I always knew that boy is a veterinarian doctor, one who’s only patients are animals! Perhaps you can learn this: a veterinarian is a person qualified, and authorized to practice veterinary medicine. Such practice originates way back in 1646.

        Colin skills might relate to the simple art of prevention, cure, or alleviation of disease, and injury in animals, especially domestic animals. Without politics, and being a puppet of Skerrit he would stave. How many people in Dominica takes their dogs and cats to doctor.

        I do not know if McIntyre of Kings Lane the eye specialist was his (is) his father, but that guy in the picture is not a human physician he could not survive in Dominica as a professional veterinarian. They so like to be called doctor they will do anything to…

  18. Shaka Zulu
    May 16, 2016

    Appalling work conditions and lack of response from those in charge is not political. How can one perform at peak if the conditions/work environment is not acceptable. Thats a nice way of saying shut up.

  19. cameron
    May 16, 2016

    Mcintyre keep on dreaming,the corruption is killing dominica,and the king skerrit your master needs to go,but the almighty is in command,and in due time wil deal accordingly.

  20. Massacre
    May 16, 2016

    Is this another joke? How can we operate impartially in an environment that is so full of political corruption and DLP involvement?
    Every decision that is made has some political influence, so it is rather ironic for Colin to ask us not to let politics shadow our actions. It\’s like do as I say not as I do. Big time hypocrites. The health care in our main hospital is atrocious to say the least. If now any minister falls sick , he/she will fly overseas that same day, rather than going to PMH. So you should improve the working conditions for staff before you give lip service.
    I fell more sorry for the people in the country areas, because its them who keep voting for the DLP guys but still they are the ones who receive the less help/attention .

  21. EnfantDiable
    May 16, 2016

    Sensible advice!

  22. Carib
    May 16, 2016

    Nonsense u talking Dr. Mc Intyre. U cannot know the pressure that the professionals are working under n the irritation that the patients ensure n come here talking that u care about them. This is utter rubbish, just using words.

  23. %
    May 16, 2016

    Man stop you utter piffle and foolishness..Ask your God Skerrit to put aside politics from his position as PM, and address the issue relating to the MARIGOT HOSPITAL….We know the wise people from Marigot will never vote for a DLP candidate, but this is the hospital closest to what we call our main airport…. In my view,this is not an airport…Go talk to Skerrit about that…Then tell him get rid of the doggone politics and let Honourable Lugay and his team go ahead with the improvement to LINDO PARK…Tell him get rid of the doggone politics, and treat the SALISBURY people like all other Dominicans…Stop the crass and shameful hypocrisy,Dominica is teetering towards being a failed state today because of you, Skerrit and the other slaves and greedies in your camp….The doctors you are referring to will reject your balderdash,because you are an accomplished accomplice of the retrogression of Dominica into this poor state that it is in today..

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      May 17, 2016

      Madam/Mr. Percent; tonight I gave you thumbs up, number one is contributed by ours truly. Truth must prevail, and I support the truth. That guy is nothing more than a damn hypocrite.

      In the first place he should have kept his bloody mouth shot, since he is not the minister of health; that only to prove that they have no agenda, nothing in his ministry to do; hence he is direct by Skerrit his god, to come out and babble talking rubbish only to deflect from the wholesale corruption they are all involve into.

      Scum’s like that are the ones who everyday divide the country; how can people function is an environment in unison when the red devils are instructed by the devil himself to declare war on anyone who does not support him! I enjoy your comment, and advise you write more truth like that!

  24. dissident
    May 16, 2016

    After corrupting people minds with all you party first mentality you realise de errors of your philosophy.
    People should not be made to dress in red at government official functions just as well!

  25. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    May 16, 2016

    Colin, you are late, very late with such sentiments; considering that the divisions and controversies between state workers are something orchestrated by you, Skerrit, and the rest of the puppets in the government!

    The government divide the nation; your government even divides families living in the same house, children disrespect their parents, all because of the examples set by the Labor Party government. Prime Minister Skerrit; told his supporters to intimidate, and harass any supporter of the UWP, or any other party wherever his supporters meet his none supporters.

    So, what do you expect?

    In the hospital there might be non-supporters of Skerrit working, so don’t you expect that some workers might be acting on Skerrit’s orders? I think that your sentiments are hypocritical!

    • native
      May 17, 2016

      There goes that Idiot Telemaque again !!!!!!

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        May 17, 2016

        Poor fool!

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaahahhaah!

        Before you focus on me don’t you think you should worry about the misery, squealer and poverty, and primitiveness in which you exist? Why focus on me when these people live off your very blood?

        There is nothing in this world that I want that I do not have, and when the need arise for anything, I do not struggle to get! You cannot live in Dominica and proclaim that; don’t worry about me wether I come or go; worry about the oppression, and victimizing of that corrupt government which dominates your stupid mind!

        I am free as bird, right this minute I am going out for breakfast, because I do not feel like eating what is in my house. By night fall I will be in Palm Springs a hundred fourteen miles from Los Angeles where I will have dinner, maybe after that I’ll check into a Hotel, or return to my house, are you living that type of life style?

  26. Titiwi
    May 16, 2016

    Very commendable and laudable appeal Colin. I am surprised it comes from you and not
    your colleague Kenneth Darroux, who is the Minister responsible for health. As much as I believe your appeal to be sincere I am only too aware it has little chance of success because of the divisiveness, rancour an pathological need for vindictiveness of your boss, which today has pervaded all levels of our society, even the institutions of religion. I am sorry but I firmly believe that even your own party will eventually implode because of this. Wish it were different, for the sake of the country I love!

  27. White Plains Rd
    May 16, 2016

    Hmm, everything is policies period, what u r saying has merit re the party color lines, but Lets face it head on…

    what has happened to the Marigot Hospital? look at it’s condition? any answers from your regime…

    Your regime has been in Power for over 15 years and counting, you aren’t a new regime in a first term office, why under your regime’s guidance has things gone so low, tell me?

    Dominica will never be a successful place, due to the many who know better don’t care about overall input and standards in the island…

    Dominica is flat in terms of discuss and success aspects, the chatter is too petty and your regime’s head wants to be in power till 2050, that must have a effect on the output of public servants, as it’s pure trickery, lies and deception in governance…

    thus headlining dominica as the poorest and slowest economy in the region, ministers of government should feel ashamed of that above crown, but sadly many are shameless.

  28. D/can to de Bone (F)
    May 16, 2016

    This attitude would never b tolerate in the UK….. My people are think if pity n very narrow minded. The authority should should take serious action with people bring politics on the job..in a hodpital?

  29. oh Yes
    May 16, 2016

    So dr. Minister the stressful situations which you made mention of compound the impacts on the health care professionals. Unfortunately for your administration you would prefer they remain silent. Lead by example and don’t just talk. Who feels it knows it’s not an easy road.

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