Ten thousand, eight hundred Dominicans are expected to receive medical attention during a nine-day health mission conducted by the United States Navy’s Hospital Ship, USNS Comfort.
Prime Minister, Roosevelt Skerrit made that announcement while addressing the opening ceremony of the ship’s mission to Dominica held at the Old Acute Psychiatric (APU) building at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) on Tuesday.
The ship, which is being described as the largest floating hospital ship in the US, has been in Dominica since Monday and is currently docked at the Woodbridge Bay Port in Fond Cole.
The actual mission commenced Monday with free screening for surgical patients and will run until August 5th.
“The Ministry of Health have informed us that the Comfort personnel will see some 600 patients per day at each site, that is 1,200 people per day,” the Prime Minister said. “Should you reach this target that over nine days some 10,800 patients would have been seen.”
This figure, he said, represents over 15 percent of the island’s population.
“If this turns out to be so then we will understand the magnitude of the challenge we face in providing access to affordable, quality healthcare to our citizens,” he noted.
According to the Prime Minister the services provided being provided by the Ship will help ease the pressure on the country’s treasury.
“Your presence and activities here over the next nine days delivering urgently needed healthcare services to Dominicans is for us not only an appreciated humanitarian gesture but also an initiative that will help ease the pressure on our treasury,” Skerrit stated.
He mentioned also that the United States and Dominica have had a long and unbroken friendship anchored in, “mutual respect and in respect for the democratic traditions that our respective countries and people and institutions are sworn to upload.”
Skerrit indicated that he is pleased that Dominica was chosen as one of the host countries and also applauded the mission for including Haiti, a sister CARICOM country as one of the ten other countries to render this ‘noble humanitarian service.’
Meantime Health Minister, Dr. Kenneth Darroux, said the services which will be provided by the mission will go a long way in addressing a backlog of healthcare services on island.
“This mission will go a long way in addressing a backlog of the services and more so these patients who have not been able to access some of them because of financial constraints,” Dr. Darroux explained. “Let us not forget that the mission has just started and there are numerous follow-up management plans to be addressed and I look forward to their continued support.”
According to him, over 100 surgical procedures have been scheduled to take place onboard the hospital ship.
Mission Commander, Captain Sam Hancock stated that the crew looks forward to the mission in Dominica.
“On behalf of the over 1,000 crew members embarked onboard the hospital ship Comfort, for ‘Continuing Promise’ 2015. I look forward to the incredible work we are going to do over the next week here in Dominica,” he said.
He revealed that this is the US Comfort 8th mission stop and eleventh over six months.
“During our mission stop in Roseau and other areas around the island, we will work alongside our Dominican partners to care for patients at both the Dominica Grammar School here in Roseau and the Roosevelt Douglas Primary School in Portsmouth,” he said.
Hancock highlighted a few mission events that the Comfort Team are scheduled to work on during their stay on island including, “Women’s Health Seminar, Environmental Health Vector Management, mosquito eradication, veterinarian exchanges and information topics on livestock and animal health seminars that will be conducted throughout the island.”
According to him, this mission stop will enable the team to support the strong and enduring relationship between the United States and Dominica.
“A partnership together that will enhance our shared values, our interests and our commitment to unity and security and stability within this region,” he said. “We are ready to get to work.”
Dominica was selected to be part of the mission’s four-month Humanitarian and Civic Assistance Mission to Latin America and the Caribbean.
Services to be offered by the mission are in the fields of surgery, pediatrics, cardiology, plastic surgery among others.
Wonder how skerrit and the reest feeling to be seated next to an American even so going onboard the floating hospital with all the bad and negative things, the names he is callimg America and American when he meet with his ALBA comrades and all his Middle Eastern comrads, he surely knows how to pu the on a show, this man skerrits give a rat behind regarding dominican health, the very same way that he cares lest about America and the Americans, if he did he would not be setting up shops all ovef the middle East selling Dominica’s Passport to all the criminals out there, those who hate the USA yet wants to a stone throw away from America, those who hate the vine but love the wine, sheep in wool clothing
Three very blind mice at the head table Skerrit, Darroux and Blackmrore. Three very bad english speakers!!!
Honourable Lennox Linton must volunteer to give you all free english classes.
Skerrit did tell his fools that a new hospital was part of a six pillar project in 2004. lies, and lies, and lies, and lies.
11000 people? A clear sign of massive poverty,widespread unemployment and indigency.
This is exceptionally wonderful by the U.S. This should have been better organised Mr. P.M., PS of health and Minister for Health and other health practitioners etc . Few suggestions as follows: A day , for physically and challenged children and elderly persons and so forth. Numbers should also be given to persons.
Many persons have never never gone to a doctor for years. The opportunity is now here for free medical attention.. Health authorities you all definitely expect a rush and chaos at the Medical Centres. Why two Medical Centres for 600 persons a day. There should be at least three centres in Roseau and Portsmouth.
Hope the P.M. and the Health Authorities request another visit by the USNS Comfort. There are persons who would really like to check their health
Lily I agree with your comment especially about those who are not able to access the sites and get priority service. Who are advocating for them? The Mission is to provide medical care for the poor. Who were the advocates for them when the limited spots for service were allocated? Who were there to advocate to give these spots to the poor over the those with connections either by employment or affliations who positioned themselves, their families and friends in front for the medical care earmarked for the poor, disabled and disenfranchised?
Medical personnel should be the last group to present themselves for this humanitarian care.
are we really an independent nation
Definition of independent:
not dependent; not depending or contingent upon something else for existence, operation, etc.
Some will see this comment as negative and political but it’s the sad truth.
will some one tell us what was more important 27million us dollar spend on a state house, wouldn’t it be more better if this blind administration took the people health first? no no vanity comes first.
hahahahah and the man lvn in the house I understood was the first patient on the ship
the same labourites that were shouting state house, state house they are the ones now rushing to the ship now…but it is not my business. SMH!
wow what an initiative hope we can get a breakdown by numbers of types of treatment.
“He revealed that this is the US Comfort 8th mission stop and eleventh over six months.” Mission Commander Capt. Hancock
Thank you for making Dominica one of your stops. We appreciate it.
…because we refuse to invest in our own health, so we appreciate that you see us as the poor, hapless, fools we are and offer us some relief from ourselves.
Nation of fools. HOW is this good news? Did Dominica survive a recent national disaster?! How can you have a prime minister talking about how “good” things are in Dominica as recently as last year, not you relying on charity for 15% of your population’s care?!
Dominica cannot provide neurology, cardiology, radiation services, plastic surgery etc because of size not because of poverty. In fact we have a much higher consultant to patient ratio that most communities of 70,000.
This Hospital Ship is a real blessing to help with the backlog. It cannot be right that patients have to wait months for a scan, biopsy and surgery, only to find when the time comes they do not have the money . We need a National Health Insurance system so that all those who need treatment can access it promptly at home or overseas.
We have to do something about our diagnostic services. I hope we can forge links for virtual second opinions using technology to stay in touch with neurologists, cardiologists and pathologists.
Tina, it IS as a result of poverty, actually! Poverty of intellect, competence, and care of our elected officials. Over the past 15 years we have seen investments in all sorts of non-essential sectors. Healthcare should be at the forefront. Not only is a national health insurance system one way of acheiving some positive results, but the gov’t could be more strategic in allying with neighboring countries to streamline and reduce cost, and time in getting diagnosis and treatment.
None of this is easy to sort out, but if it isn’t a national priority, how can we EVER hope for positive change in the short to medium term?
OMG. Don’t drink the cool aid. Jim Jones. In their quest to lower the world’s population they introduced ebola. Don’t take their drugs.
Welcome medical team of the United States US Navy’s Hospital Ship. While you are here to assist our fellow D/cans who are in need of medical attention, hope your stay will be as enjoyable as possible.
What a beautiful picture of the huge ship. On a sunny, bright day, the sea looks beautiful and inviting.
Sorry I was not able to attend this ceremony due to living at a distance. Would have loved to though, if only.
The PM is all smiles which depict he is extremely happy with the USNS and medical team led by Mission Commander Hancock.
This is a humanitarian mission that all D/cans should be pleased about whether they are in need of medical attention or not.
It is a world that we could state, due to experience, we get nothing for nothing. However, not so with the USNS and team. Your help is greatly appreciated.
God takes note of our actions. The good ones are a bonus for the giver which pleases him as He bestows his blessing on them. God bless you!
After they leave, you and Skerrit, and all the labor party liars are going to give Skerrit, the credit for their visit to Dominica. Skerrit and Darroux are going to strangle each other to take the credit.
The Commander will not be there to defend against the lying two, but I Francisco will remember, and call you and Skerrit out when you commence lying! I know a certain other woman who’s name I not calling will jump on the band-wagon and give Skerrit the credit, so I am saying in advance, it is not because of Skerrit they are on the island serving the people.
We know that is humanitarian service the freely render to the poor in many different places around the world!
“LaborofLove” I am looking to see you running off your mouth giving Skerrit the credit!
PM u have let dominicans down. Tour bill a state house befor a hospital an you call the OBAMA all bad names it have Ana today arte 14 that is what we getting for 9days what a ting!!
Americans should now tell Skerrit to free the people of Dominica, now they are seeing the poverty in our country. After he scrammed to the top of his voice “America, should lift the embargo on Cuba” it is lifted, since then Cuba has gotten more Tourist from America in month, than Skerrit in more than fifteen years in Dominica.
How about that: Mr. Mountain Chicken Crapo mentality, liar Roosevelt, Almost Nearly Cousin Skerrit!
Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahah!
Wow! Good job USA. That’s a lot of people. Again a sign of unemployment, no money and poverty!
Why did the Dominican President go to the Navy ship for FREE medical care, something to be afforded to poor and marginal income folks? mal potanse.
Ha! Ha! Ha!Don’t kill me yet, I still want to expose wicked and corrupt leaders like those who are leading us.Ha! Ha! Ha!
Darroux you ought to be ashamed!!! Magwaysar. Look at how many of your people flock for care. At least 15% of the population? Speaks volumes as to the state of health care in Dominica.
So stop downing the GREAT USA. I don’t see Venezuela, Cuba, China, Russia, Morocco sending their hospital ship to help our sick and suffering. Oh, and please put the vagrants on the ship, some of them are mentally ill and can get some prozac or something.
Well done U.S. Navy. Well done.
Thank You!
God shall always bless the greatest country, USA on planet earth. Thank you very much for this needed memorable mission. I can assure you that the Dominican people will forever be grateful, thankful and look forward for continued good relationship between the two countries. Thank you United States, God bless you and our beautiful Nature isle.
“If this turns out to be so then we will understand the magnitude of the challenge we face in providing access to affordable, quality healthcare to our citizens,” he noted. If what turns out to be the case? That DA doesn’t have a floating hospital with US personnel?
“Your presence and activities here over the next nine days delivering urgently needed healthcare services to Dominicans is for us not only an appreciated humanitarian gesture but also an initiative that will help ease the pressure on our treasury,” Skerrit stated. That says it all.
Since this is the first time that this ship may have come here, and they only come to countries in dire need of medical services, the medical facilities on DA must be in dire need of upgrading. However, what they didn’t tell most folks is that you have to have a Dr. referral from a Dominican Dr. to get any services. People cannot just come and get in line.
America not Venezuela taking care of 10,000 Dominicans.
Dominicans be careful of the free health care offered, just remember Americans don`t get free health care. You all might be guinea pigs for the new drugs and the consequences will alarming. I know some people may dislike my comment but time will tell.
Hope some of our nurses get to go onboard and observe mode of operation
Thank you USA but the Government of Dominica has failed this country on healthcare! What do Dominicans really vote the Labour Party for? What does this Labour Party Government really do for Dominica, seriously? Apart from maintaining roads, clearing the drains, cleaning Roseau and doing the basics that any government should be doing with my taxes? Please, tell me why do Dominicans vote Labour?
15% of Dominicans lining up for health care is sign of the poor health of the nation and a sign of poverty tooo….
Do you know when poor health will strike you? Will you remain healthy forever? When you make such a comment, you could be next. People’s inconsiderate words do return to them two-fold.
I see it differently. I see it as smart people being interested in their own health and well being and will take every opportunity afforded them to look after their health. A big thank you to the Governments of Dominica and America for allowing this important partnership to take place. Well done!! Shows you care.
MY VIEW, you are so stupid small brains down your feet did not you know DOMINICA is a third world country? your friends who share your views are just as stupid as you are.
An excellent initiative of the US navy. We are thankful for this support.
While I am happy the Americans offered their medical staff to provide free medical examinations to our people for free, it is a bit disturbing that so many people are going to avail themselves of their services.
If that 10,800 number holds, that represents over 15% of out total population – every man, woman and child.
This seems to indicate to me, among other reasons that there are many people who despite being sick cannot afford to visit a local doctor to deal with their illness.
That is a problem.
I guess that you have never needed medical services on DA and had to go to PMH because then you would know the answer. There are many sick people that will not go there.
Why do you think they visit Dominica and Haiti. You think that boat would go to France or Germany and deliver free health care. It goes to places where its most needed. Our PM sits there beating his chest, but it just goes to show you how desperate our healthcare system is. Every aspect of our country is in need of attention.
Anyway thanks to the US for their never ending goodwill. Some countries do it to gain influence and favours however the US does the world over most times for nothing. The world will have a super power no matter what so I will rather it be the US than any other country.
This is an education which needs to be taught right in school. We do not know what the future will hold. Children and adults get sick.
Good health should be taught in schools. In addition, counsel the youths to attend school, take it seriously, remain in school. be diligent in studies and graduate that they may obtain a well-paying job. Once they do, they must put aside some money for rainy days. Having a health insurance policy is important.
Much could be done commencing with the youths. However, they must be informed of these matters which will most certainly affect them in latter years.
I suppose sometimes the keyboard plays tricks or the fingers.
Made an error in the spelling of the name, eh? Another proof that no one is perfect as much as we try to be. On occasion, this happens. 
ZANDOLI, if you could help bring top doctors to Dominica, for free problem will be a thing of the pass do you agree?
Wow….. 15% of the population of DA will be assisted… Thank you USA! May God continue to bless both of our nations.