New Marigot Hospital still on the cards – Darroux

The Marigot Hospital was shut down because of a severe termite infestation
The Marigot Hospital was shut down because of a severe termite infestation

A new hospital for Marigot is still on the cards because it is a policy decision of the government, Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux has said.

At a press conference on Wednesday he also said discussions are underway between Dominica and China in relations to “critical” changes that need to be incorporated into the new Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH).

“Building a new hospital for Marigot is still a policy decision that the government has undertaken,” he said. “If you look at the Labour Party administration manifesto, a new hospital for Marigot is to be built for a number of reasons.”

One of the main reasons, he pointed out, was the present location of the hospital and the location of the proposed site for a new airport.

“So a new hospital for Marigot is still on the cards,” he said.

However Darroux pointed out that with the advent of the new PMH, there is a “logical nightmare” in building the two institutions at the same time.

He noted that in the meantime,the Marigot Hospital is going to be improved and a technical team between the Ministries of Health and Public Works has been put in place to look at the pros and cons of every location for the new building.

Some of the location options that are being looked at include the Youth/ Resource Center, Foundation High School in Marigot as well as the present site of the hospital.

The Marigot Hospital was shut down last year because of a severe termite infestation.

Meantime talks are underway with the Chinese as it relates to new areas that need to be included in the new PMH, according to Darroux.

He said while he is aware the country was promised that structural works would begin in the first quarter of 2015, there were some areas that he felt necessary to address when he took over the reins as Health Minister.

“I felt it necessary to make sure that we get this very, very important project right,” he pointed out. “Because a new hospital doesn’t come every year, neither every decade, maybe every century and after reviewing all of the documents and the project brief/folder we felt that there were certain changes, additions that were critical to a new hospital.”

He added that “we did not want just a new infrastructure, we wanted it to be functional that both the Chinese government, the grantors, and ourselves, as grantees, that both of us could be proud of.”

He said he is hoping that talks on the new areas will be the final correspondence between Dominica and China.

The Health Minister also mentioned that the government has done repair works on various health centers around the island such as St. Joseph, Roseau, Marigot, and soon in Bagatelle, Dos Dane and Newtown.

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43 Comments

  1. Please help me Lord
    May 7, 2015

    Dear Lord, I have a very difficult time believing any thing that this government says because over the years all they have done is say what they know we want to hear but do nothing. Lord, they have been giving us dates, upon dates, upon dates and like the old rhyme says, “The more you look the less you see, won’t you pass it unto me…” But Lord please help me believe them this time and please don’t let them lie to us this time because our health is important.

  2. May 7, 2015

    This was more important than the” political empire state building” that was built only for politics to fool the population more every day…it is quite normal that there is no money to build it faster…the dominican politicians needs a course on “priorities ” in order to manage the situation…

  3. Tjebe fort
    May 7, 2015

    Of course it is still on the cards. And every pack of cards have joker, right?

  4. Brain Bottom
    May 7, 2015

    To say that none of the hospitalsame will be built is over dramatic. What is very distasteful are the lies,the incompetence and lack of professionalism. How do you alow an operating health facility to be destroyed by termites when you don’t have ready resources to build another. Why not upkeep what you have.
    Who wants to be accountable,mature and responsible when you are rewarded by even the custodiansmallest of morality and religion for blatent lies and deliberate deception.

  5. IMJustSaying
    May 7, 2015

    Talk, talk, talk.
    No wonder Dominica has a parrot on its flag. Too much talk. Too much reaction and not enough progression.
    I blame Dominica.
    Zor sort

  6. May 7, 2015

    Cannot believe this hospital has not been given top priority given the location and more so in the village where our main airport is located . This is utter rubbish and millions was thrown into a campaign , this is the state of our Marigot hospital ? A promise is a comfort to a fool the good book say . I will pluck my hands in my pocket and stand aside and look , cause what I believe will happen is closer to the next election nou kay way diab dansay .

  7. Francisco Telemaque
    May 6, 2015

    Well, the man Skerrit spoke about how many people he feeds in the country you know; so without him everybody in the country would die from starvation, leaving him and his immediate family alone on the island.

    With the thought of dying from starvation , Dominicans feel compelled to for him only for the security of a plate of food from that little god, dictator you know.

    Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!

    Damanicans puts Skerrit’s interest ahead of their personal welfare only to get some a sheet of plywood, and a sheet of galvanize every five years. This time around one whom the accustom of giving the usual 1 + 1, they promised her a voucher for twelve thousand dollars of building materials, to repair her house, when she should up for it they told her the program is on hold. She is over 80 years old; however, they are building house for teenagers in the same village!

  8. silversliver
    May 6, 2015

    So what about the “Trauma center” that had been in the works for Marigot, according to then minister Timothy? Juust asking!!

  9. Anthony P. Ismael
    May 6, 2015

    It’s tough to make logical sense of these latest statements. I just hope that we’re closer to the commencement of this project.

  10. Doc. Love
    May 6, 2015

    I have said it on many occasions, the Skeritt led administration does not know its priories. They are concerned about crab backs involving Hon Lennox Linton, UWP opposition leader from Marigot, but their priority is not about the building of a new Hospital for the people of Marigot. They are concerned about permits from the Goodwill Improvement Committee to which Hon. Lugay of the UWP is a member, to fortify the Lindo Park for the young people they say they love, but, as far as they are concerned, a proper Marigot Hospital takes second place. Their concern is about putting Hon Lugay in jail, what Marigot Hospital are Dominicans talking about, jail comes first.

  11. fooling again
    May 6, 2015

    Dr. Darroux, how many different agreements,, has Skerritt and his DLP Gov’t entered into? How many loans have Skerritt and his DLP Gov’t signed for that new PMH hospital.

    A new hospital was part of the 4-pillar projects that China would build. That’s what they told us. The projects were, Portsmouth-Roseau road rehab, the grammar school, the sports stadium and the hospital.

    But Gov’t signed a $300 million loan with a private Chinese firm, new hospital included again. So what about the previous hospital from the 4 pillar projects with the Chinese Gov’t? Didn;t the Chinese Gov’t wash its hands with regards to that questionable deal? Where were you Dr. Darroux and what is really true regarding that new PMH hospital?

    Your Gov’t allowed Marigot hospital to be closed due to termite infestation? What incompetence.. shame!!!!!!!!

    Could you all fool all of the people all of the time? Whose fools are Dominicans?

    • Not a herd follower
      May 7, 2015

      Yet, Dominicans keep voting them into power (office)

  12. Peter Potter
    May 6, 2015

    Talk, talk, talk… Action=zero. None of these two hospitals will be built or renovated anytime soon. My guess sometime in 2019 we might get something started if we are lucky. When are we all going to wake up? When??

  13. May 6, 2015

    What about the Colihaut Health Centre/ Is anything being done to repair or replace it? Lady where are u?

    • LanLu
      May 7, 2015

      doh worry, caulihaut people just like sheep that staying on batalie beach… what a bunch of fools

  14. May 6, 2015

    Wait for it , it coming same time with the tablets …. :-D

  15. Lang Mama
    May 6, 2015

    I would rather believe a prostitute telling me that she is a virgin as oppose to these gang of liars.

  16. Lang Mama
    May 6, 2015

    a+a= 2a
    1+1=2

    Now next level maths
    Sum (Lie+Lies)= Shameless conmen×15×365

    LMF

  17. Lang Mama
    May 6, 2015

    “It is a logical nightmare ” – what is a logical nightare is it the termites cause I don’t see how could this be a nightmare – you guys said that designs were in final stages and construction would start in March 2015. The only nightmare is about how to follow up with more lies to cover up more lies

  18. fantastic4
    May 6, 2015

    the present location at Goodwill is not the best site for a new hospital that is the first problem; it does not have the space nor is the area conducive for a modern hospital facility – but why don’t they solicits feed back from various stakeholders before embarking on that project. PMH will just be a modern mess on completion if it remains in that location – for a number of reasons – congested area, security is a problem; noise pollution is a problem; it is in a hazard zone etc etc; I am sure a more suitable location can be found outside of Roseau for this new institution if only they consult properly.

    • maindesk
      May 7, 2015

      They want it at Goodwill just so they can add one or two more buildings to it and then claim it is a modern new hospital costing 300 million dollars just like repairing the west coast road ending up with the Mahait section drivers nightmare and a small hardly well maintained building blocking the drivers view of the bridge from the south end entering Massacre but which they once said would be a modern new super highway. Any reasonable person would beleive that the Marigot airport Hospital is the greater priority but in this place men have lost their reason. They give the airport a new name but it is a” logistical nightmare” to give it a new hospital.

  19. Erasmus B. Black
    May 6, 2015

    Whilst the time frame for the new Princess Margaret Hospital has slipped, the Honourable Minister for Health discloses government’s policy decision for a brand new hospital at Marigot. Wow! One assumes the new Marigot hospital will also be dispensing snake oil medication. And cheers in advance to the Dear Leader for cutting the ribbon at both new hospitals (not).

  20. Mal Boo Woe
    May 6, 2015

    I cannot understand why the Melville Hall Airport continue to operate without a proper health facility in place. Are you telling me that if a plane crashes in Melville Hall that the victims have to be transported to Roseau for treatment?
    Alas one of those good days, these people in high offices will stop tell us lies in our faces. God help us.

  21. Mamizoo
    May 6, 2015

    People of Dominica just read this article and you will see that we are dealing with a diabolical organization called DLP. Lie at any course the people will keep believing.

    https://dominicanewsonline.com/news/homepage/news/economy-development/marigot-hospital-to-become-trauma-centre/

    • Lang Mama
      May 6, 2015

      So Labar ka twavaille allow poo poule to eat a hospital so that the said hospital can become a very very important project. Ohwatafooliyam

  22. Dan Tanner
    May 6, 2015

    Hell, just maintaining the toilet in the one standing would be welcome.

  23. Francisco Telemaque
    May 6, 2015

    That is an emergency, its more than a necessity in the life’s of the people of Marigot, Wesley, and the surrounding villages.

    That should be priority number one on the government agenda. Nevertheless, it is still on the cards, meaning it can drop off the cards at any moment. One will never see a new hospital built in the Village of Marigot as long as Skerrit and his labor party is in government

  24. too late
    May 6, 2015

    Which hospital is the marigot hospital? The poopool one, the pinez one or the poolbwah one?

    • Kid On The Block
      May 6, 2015

      Choose one because you know them all.

  25. CC
    May 6, 2015

    I highly doubt this will be built any time soon

  26. Zandoli
    May 6, 2015

    Concerning the PMH, allu did not know that before your dear leader promised ground would be broken by March 2015?

    Now as far as the Marigot hospital is concerned, doesn’t your government do any maintenance assessment of its assets to see what needs to be fixed or replaced before the entire structure collapses?

    I used to own a condo and I was the president of the condo corporation. As mandated by government, we had to get an engineering firm do a complete assessment of the property and maintain a reserve fund to address all aspects of property. We had to put money aside to fix or replaced things as time went by. Everything has a shelf life. That was the law. That assessment has to be reviewed every 3 years.

    • joe
      May 6, 2015

      Zandoli, just to educate you a bit, the CABINET of Ministers are responsible for POLICY DECISIONS, they are not involve in the day to day OPERATIONS hence the reason for the over 4,000 EMPLOYEES.

      Each Ministry is headed by a PERMANENT SECRETARY also referred to as the ACCOUNTING OFFICERS, it is their responsibility to manage the day to day operations, they are equipped with QUALIFIED PERSONNEL to assist them.

      Whilst the CABINET OF MINISTERS can be viewed as DIRECTORS ON A BOARD and the PERMANENT SECRETARIES as the GENERAL MANAGERS they do NOT operate like the private sector!!!!!!

      Now i started it for you please continue the research on the difference between the two and stop that DUNCENESS!!!!!!!!!!!

      • Zandoli
        May 6, 2015

        Joe, thanks for the education.
        Now let me tell you, if the cabinet sets the right policy and these things that I spoke of get done.

        I am very familiar witj how this works. As I mentioned, I was the president of our board of directors and we set the direction for the property manager. He advised us, but after all was said and done, WE had the final say. Just like in any democracy, we were elected by the home owners and we could not lay blame on the property manager if something went wrong. WE were accountable to thenhome owners.

        Dear sir, I know exactly how this works. I was part of a mini government.

      • maindesk
        May 7, 2015

        So now its the employees to blame not the bosses?

      • LanLu
        May 7, 2015

        idiotic comment… joe u cannot educate anyone with that rubbish you just type

      • Lang Mama
        May 7, 2015

        Joe you are just the same idiot Real Porssie who graduated with honors from university of asseology and bowikism. :mrgreen: :-x :mrgreen:

      • Tjebe fort
        May 8, 2015

        Cabinet Ministers to be viewed as Directors on a Board Joe? Hell, no wonder Dominica Inc. is bankrupt.

    • B.E.B
      May 7, 2015

      As u are talking about termites, let me share some concern: The other day I was at the Charles/Douglas Air Port when I went in the area of the car rental offices, looking at the taking off, of a plain, I noticed the infestation of wood ants coming from the earth onto the building, I called one of the girls and showed it to her and told her, why don’t the report to the authorities , the condition of the building, she told me that DASPA is responsible. If they do not take the necessary action, it will go down like the Marigot Hospital. A stitch in time saves nine.

      • Me
        May 8, 2015

        It’s a plane BEB, a plane! I’ve never seen a plain taking off but you never now, La Plaine may be the first one.

  27. trendy
    May 6, 2015

    How do these guys look themselves in the mirror after lying to the people with straight faces. Unbelievable!!.
    Before the election Timothy gave us a totally different story. So I am wondering whether what Timothy told us was hot air or is it that the current minister is blowing hotter air.

    • Shaka zulu
      May 6, 2015

      Trendy you not easy. You still wondering if Timothy gave you hot air. The smell of sulphur in Roseau is not from the fumaroles in laudat. It is from the hot air coming out the …. Of the labour administration.

  28. Bull Crap
    May 6, 2015

    Dominican will stop make you all make asses out of them one day…

    • too late
      May 6, 2015

      I agree with you bull crap. you know i think is only in dominica that a government can tell lies like this and get relected
      one time they have money for pmh next time they dont one time they going to upgrade pmh next time they saying is a new hospital. then next time pmh will be in warner nxt time is in the same location. remember there was an article that said Pm signed a loan of over 200 million just fr the design? :lol: by the way wasn’t the hospital par of a three pillar project?
      WHAT about THE INTERNATIONAL AIRPORT nuh PM had say he sign deal and that it would go on the old site freedom party had selected? :lol: what about those abattoir and coffee plant? :lol:
      Any body remember CIT Airlines that was suppose to fly from miami to Dominica? :lol:
      Doubting Thomas and THE Facts do any one of you have any updates on the Morocco hotel , the tablets , the farmers boat and the 500 jobs ? or are you in Doubt?

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