Nineteen million, five hundred thousand dollars ($19.5-million) is the Ministry of Health’s share of the over half a billion dollar national budget, which was presented to the nation on Friday, and the largest slice will be going towards the new Princess Margaret Hospital, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit has said.
“The largest amount from this allocation goes towards the construction of the new national hospital,” Skerrit stated at the Parliament building on Victoria Street on Friday 24th July, 2015. “Much has been said about this project, suffice it to say that this is a government that upholds its commitment to the Dominican people and as such this facility will be constructed to meet as many of our health needs as possible.”
The hospital has been on the lips of officials for years now and the Prime Minister has sought to explain the delay in its construction.
He informed that the government has been on the receiving end of assistance from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) in determining the type of facility that is suitable for the country.
“We have therefore delayed implementation so as to ensure that a number of important recommendations were factored into the designs,” he revealed. “With this major national health facility, when this major national health facility is complete, our people will enjoy the security of 21st century health care in a state of the art facility, manned by trained health personnel.”
In this regard he said that the Government of Dominica, in partnership with the Government of Cuba, has embarked on a program in which a number of medical doctors will be trained in various specialty areas.
“Commencing September 2015, four medical doctors will peruse specialty training, one each will be in cardiology, neurology, geriatric and intensive care,” Skerrit stated.
He said these officers are expected to complete their course of study by 2019.
“By January 2016, five Medical doctors from Dominica will have completed training in Specialty areas as follows: two officers in internal medicine, one in infectious and tropical diseases, orthopedics and traumatology and pediatrics. By June of 2016, one officer will complete training in hematology and medical oncology,” he noted.
He said these doctors are being trained so that when “the new hospital comes, there will be Dominicans who are fully trained to provide the services to our people, because there is a strategic plan to this matter … there is a strategic plan to addressing the health concerns in Dominica.”
He said preliminary work on the hospital will begin during the financial year and it will be fully equipped with state of the art equipment, however the government will provide some of those equipment even during the construction phase and additional equipment will be made available to the primary health care services to broaden the range of services available at that level.
In May of this year, the Prime Minister, announced that groundbreaking for the new hospital would take place in July.
“The Chinese government has indicated to us that they are prepared to break ground for the hospital in July of this year,” Skerrit announced. “And the clear mandate to the Minister of Health is that the government must to everything possible on its side. The Chinese are ready, the Chinese people are ready, we must do everything on our side to ensure that we do all that we have to do to break ground in July.”
During the campaign for general election last year, it was said construction would begin in the first quarter of 2015.
In January 2015 Health Minister Kenneth Darroux said new information, new points of view and ideas about the hospital had surfaced and a site for the facility was yet to be determined.
He said a decision on the new site would be determined very soon and “within the next few weeks” the nation would be informed.
It was subsequently revealed that the facility will be constructed in Goodwill.
Back in 2010 then Health Minister, Julius Timothy, announced that the ground breaking ceremony for the hospital in the Roseau North constituency was “coming soon.”
That same year, Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit, said Warner should be considered as a possible location for the hospital.
Two years later, in 2012 Timothy said the existing Princess Margaret Hospital would soon be revamped and the country will have a “relatively new hospital … early next year” (2013).
In 2013, Prime Minister Skerrit said the new hospital was among projects to be undertaken that year through gratuitous aid and concessionary financing from the government of the People’s Republic of China (PRC).
At that time Skerrit mentioned that they were “unfolding the designs” of the hospital.
For argument sake the hospital is going to be built… Hooray!!! but who is taking note of Disaster Preparedness concerns (Mr. Cecil Shillingford did his best in trying to highlight the issue) which are so relevant of this once in a lifetime investment. Why are technical reasons which point to the non-suitability of Goodwill for such a significant venture not being adhered to. Are we so deep in sleep that we fail to realize that we live amidst sleeping giants!!! History has recorded how the tuffs of St. Aroment, Tarish pit, Glasgow were formed. Concentrate all MAJOR infrastructure in Roseau rather than decentralize!!! eventually setting up ourselves to be like Plymouth, Montserrat……….. for sure when… but definitely not ifs!!!
This hospital was supposed to be completed in 2010 under the agreement signed with China for the four pillar project.Once again i remind you people that it’s time to break this man’s neck!
Are we waiting for something really TERRIBLE to occur at Melville Hall airport, the country gets sued for monies we do not have, before the Marigot hospital is built? God forbid. Surely, this cannot be right!
HOTEP!
My God, did the PM once said New PMH was funded by four pillar fund from China? Did he say he received an other 300 million for hospital from China? What is really going on. We are fooled all the time. Come out straight and tell us the truth. We are tied of lies. WHERE are these million? We worth to have a report.
Remind me again how much did we invest in the Presidential Palace?
If you want 17000 Thumbs Up just post a negative comment about SKERRIT and the GOVERNMENT. Vici Versa..,17000 Thumbs Down for any positive comment. 17000 UWPITES on the loose just opposing for opposing sake.
Will not be built in time for baby number two, so we going America again
Not just a new hospital, Dominica needs to go back to basics and a healthy diet that puts the country head and shoulders above any other Caribbean state .we need to have more fish shops where the fish is picked by the customer and then cooked . more cooked fish.
which country is that in the pic ? DA is a flat country now man?
Was there any thought put into this “design”? Why is it horizontal rather than vertical to maximize land utiliztion?
when the renovation of the pmh start where will those patient that admited will be house, cause there going to be alot of noise jackhammering and so on.
They will get accustomed to it.
If you have space in your mansion you could house them.
pm, a hospital should be more equipment and specialist instead of a pretty building, also I hope this one will have private rooms. so charlo can stay here for treatment…
also did you take a loan for this hospital from a private company or from your MDTH
Did you forgot yourself? It will also be for you when you get sick, if suddenly or through an accident.
There are a small group of naysayers and doubters who say that the new state of the art Hospital will never be built. As a Labourite with my ears close to the halls of power, let me assure each and every one of you today that the Hospital will be here sooner than most of you think. Our Supreme Leader, in his wisdom, is making sure that all the ducks are in a row, all i’s are dotted and all t’s crossed on this one. The Hospital, like our new road system, will stand as a testament to the true and dynamic leadership of the most accomplished and charismatic Prime Minister in Dominica’s history since our independence almost 37 years ago. The cries of Dominicans about health care and health care facilities have not fallen on deaf ears. The Supreme Leader, the Highly Esteemed, Dr. Roosevelt M. Skerrit, is a man of Christ-like compassion. A man who often laments at the plight of his people. This new state of the art Hospital will be part of his great legacy, and a fitting one at…
it is clear that you are one of the beneficiaries of corruption and racketeering while ordinary labourites have to run to the red clinic for a $100 every week. so people like you will do and say whatever it takes to keep this PM in office so you can continue to make your $96,000 and so on
I am elated that construction will soon commence on the new PMH. This type of venture obviously costs an exorbitant sum. The grateful D/cans especially those who are ill are obviously looking forward to its completion soon.
Keep in mind, “A thankful heart has a continuous feast.”
Even though it was slated to commence sooner, the plan, area and cost of a huge undertaking as this also takes time. Everything had to be in perfect order prior to as much as laying ground. Open minded people will comprehend.
Gratitude to people is gratitude to God.
The PM and his cabinet have worked tirelessly and I would think with a certain degree of anxiety for this to come to fruition in order to satisfy D/cans and their concerns. A special thank you should go out to the PM and his government.
D/cans should also give special thanks to the benefactors who provided the funding. Above all, thank God too!
I have a lot of sayings to share with you, enough to fill some books.
27 mill for a palace and 19 mill for a HOSPITAL!! Is this guy serious? Dominicans are u guys understanding what’s going on? 27 mill to sleep comfy while they travel overseas for medical attention and 19 mill for Ur lives? I’m lost for words.
How much did you contribute to it?
Sorry!
I do not believe anything Skerrit says!
A terribly bad leader. He is inept, vacuous and incompetent!.
What do we expect from a non-supporter?
I personally cannot believe that you would not believe what he says.
He is the PM. He knows very well what he stated and that it is factual.
Build your confidence. Cease your negativity and critiques. It is good for your health – well-being, happiness and peace of mind.
Well, July is almost over and the Dr.’s should already be trained that are presently working at PMH.
Anything Skerrit put his hands on is DEAD!! Melville Hall airport and Night Landing…….Arbatour ….dead!; Agriculture ….DEAD! Marigot Hospital …DEAD! Trade …DEAD!
Skerrit is a joke, can only fool those who dont read!!
Be careful what you state.
You would do well to guard your words.
You may get them thrown back at you, be it in a different and worst manner.
By your words you will be judged.
So I am to believe that the biggest slice of EC$19.5M will build a brand new state of the art hospital like the one portrayed in the pic above? What is the current annual expenditure for the Ministry of Health my ppl..Allu think there will be surplus to get that hospital?
This thing is unclear…the hospital budget (for discussion) should be stated separately from the MOH budget
“Nineteen million, five hundred thousand dollars ($19.5-million) is the Ministry of Health’s share of the over half a billion dollar national budget”
“…our people will enjoy the security of 21st century health care”
Am I the only person who see the inconsistency in the second statement?
How can a government allocate 3.9% of its budget to health care and then boast of 21st century health care?
Just to give you some perspective:
Ontario’s health budget currently stands at $50.1 billion. That represents 41.9 per cent of all program spending in the province. (reference: http://www.thestar.com/life/health_wellness/2015/04/22/budget-will-see-tough-decisions-in-health-care.html)
Forget about the raw figures and look at the percentages. Now Mr. PM tell me again about 21st century health care in Dominica.
We hope this month is the breaking ground for this new hospital as he mentioned few weeks ago, In fact I will only believe Mr.Skerit when I see work commence and complete.
There are many talkers and critics and few doers, if none at all. It would be a good idea if you could volunteer to assist.
You are so correct, all this government has is empty talk!!
Ignorant Domknkcan idiots starting with D NO
why no oncologist? we need this specialist. .Cancer is on a rise.
Maybe you could consider the medical profession and specialize in treating cancer.
Too much talking and no action. Be less critical, if not at all.
Precaution is better than cure. Inform D/cans who do not have cancer (yet) to do their utmost to eat and drink nutritiously.
You have a computer and internet. Google health information about cancer and the health benefits of various fruits and vegetables which will provide you with vital information on how to hopefully avoid cancer.
For those who have cancer, there are fruits and vegetables which could help to stabilize it and even eradicate it. One of them is eating avocado. Sometime ago Dr. Oz mentioned it on his program. Try to also access his Website.
When you hear of and read important information as such, you should share them with others. This is one way of helping your fellow people and inform them to do likewise to others as each one reaches one.
I believe this hospital is ill and is in need of medical care
I believe you are too for making such a comment.
Anything else you have to state which will help the situation?
Soo they are ready to break ground in July..But the nation will be informed of the new site within the next few weeks.. so tell me July that longer mn..The month almost over
. . . And think, you do not know if you will live that long.
wait a while 20 million for that hospital and the state house cost 27 million. That have to be a mistake, right? Or is it 20 million to design it?
That’s what the government going to put in, but the rest will be by the Chinese people. As usual not informed with your country proceedings. @ memoi poul.
Excellent response.
They hear and read but are short of memory; can’t retain anything in the memory.
Note how some of them do not think and are swift to shoot their mouths and their fingers to the keyboard. This projects ignorance. Yet, these are the first ones to critique others and give them thumbs down.
Next time, “Be sure brain is engaged before putting mouth in gear” and the fingers to the keyboard and pushing the Sent key. Keep a record of that.
27 mil was not for one the state house as you all have been pushing around.. that was fund for the state house witht he new college and other projects smh
Eh ben look it! Dominica, the dream paradise of the miss-informed world!
Trust DNO to add a negative twist to the story. Must say that the specialization of doctors in the mentioned fields was long overdue. We should have pushed for at least 4 doctors per field but Rome wasn\’t built in a day.
What about you? Ever gave it a thought to join the medical profession and work in your country at the new PMH?
DNO is the Media. They do like to tantalize readers to stir them up and to obtain their comments and heated ones, negative and critiques.
I understood that DNO is a non DLP supporter which is why the promise of the new PMH and late construction are outlined and as much as emphasized.
It really was not a compliment or consideration given to DLP, previous and present ministers. That is the Media for you, a saying.
\”Unfolding the designs\”. \’\’…….LOL. Anyway lets welcome it, its here at last.
But didn’t it reported that the hospital is on hold, one thing for Dominicans to understand with computer one can cut and paste to make stories look good and this Govt have become very good at that, so think back to the last budget to see the comparison so their isn’t anything new for our young people or the unemployment.
We have been waiting forever for this. Get all the technical stuff done. Dominica needs this hospital ASAP.
As long and as old as you are? You must be a very old man.
Are you for real? Some of the ideas and arguments put forward by some of the readers appear to be constructive. Every observation should not be labelled as been negative.
State of the art my foot,man get a better slogan,tired of hearing the same old from you and your cronies.
Wikipedia definition of :The term “state of the art” refers to the highest level of general development, as of a device, technique, or scientific field achieved at a particular time. It also refers to the level of development (as of a device, procedure, process, technique, or science) reached at any particular time as a result of the common methodologies employed. The term has been used since 1910, and has become both a common term in advertising and marketing, and a legally significant phrase with respect to both patent law and tort liability. In advertising, the phrase is often used to convey that a product is made with the best possible technology, but it has been noted that “the term ‘state of the art’ requires little proof on the part of advertisers”, as it is considered mere puffery.[1] The use of the term in patent law, by contrast, “does not connote even superiority, let alone the superlative quality the ad writers would have us ascribe to the term”.[2]
So you have a point.Will it be still “State of the art”if andwhen it is finally completed?
When you will be admitted there for whatever will ail you, you will be happy to be treated at the State of the Art Hospital. This also includes visiting sick relatives and friends. You may even sing its praises. Just wait.
Looking on the design for a Helipad, don’t see none..Trauma centre needs one.
that is a good point,dominica is large country,where is the helipad dock,should someone has be moved from any part of the country in a hurry.