The general public is being encouraged to take advantage of the opportunity for free medical care from the U.S. Navy hospital ship, Comfort.
Described as the largest floating hospital in the U.S., it will be in Dominica from July 27 to August 7 for a health mission, providing a wide range of services to the Dominican public.
Dr. Laura Esprit is Acting Director for Primary Health Care Services.
“The services will include pediatrics, dental care, surgery, optometry, internal medicine, dermatology, urology, cardiology, ophthalmology, women’s health, physical therapy, plastic surgery, oral and maxillofacial surgery, orthopedics, emergency medicine, anesthesia and pediatric surgery. Family Nurse Practitioners will be present and diagnostic imaging will be done,” she said.
The ship’s medical team will serve the general public for nine days, from July 28 to August 5th and will start no later than 9am on each day and end no later than 5pm.
All services will be provided at two medical sites on the island but surgical and diagnostic procedures will be done on board the ship.
“The first medical site is the Dominica Grammar School in Roseau to serve the following health districts:
“Roseau (Scott’s Head to Roseau including Roseau Valley, Fond Cole, Massacre, Mahaut, Tarreau, Campbell and Warner)
“Grand Bay (Pichelin to Petit Savanne)
“La Plaine (Grand Fond to Delices)
“Castle Bruce (Castle Bruce, Good Hope, Petit Soufriere, San Sauveur, Salybia and Mahaut River).”
She continued that “The second medical site is the Roosevelt Douglas Primary School in Portsmouth.
This site will serve the health districts of:
“Portsmouth (Penville, Vieille Case, Paix Bouche and Anse de Mai)“St. Joseph (Belles, Layou, Colihaut)
“Marigot (Wesley, Calibishie and Atkinson).”
The elderly, children and vulnerable groups will be given priority and should be accompanied by their next of kin or someone who is fully aware of their condition.
Creole-speaking persons are also advised to have a familiar translator on the ship’s screening days.
Patients are reminded to provide the staff with a valid identification and medical book.
Surgical and diagnostic procedures will be done aboard the ship while dental and medical consultations will be performed at the two medical sites.
“All post-operative recovery will be done aboard the ship,” says Dr. Espirit, “During the nine operational days of the mission. Patients requiring continued care will be transported via ambulance from the vessel directly to the Princess Margaret Hospital. Patients with non-critical conditions will be discharged directly to their homes. Patients will be given clear instructions as to the date, time and place of follow-up care prior to being discharged.”
Persons requiring specialist services from private physicians, as well as inmates of the Dominica State Prison, Residents of the the Infirmary, Grotto Home for the Homeless, and other privately-owned elderly homes are encouraged to participate in the mission.
ADMIN: Do you have any information that there is a third medical site. If yes, can we please get some updates. This will be greatly appreciated:)
ADMIN: No info on that.
Wonder why this ship never comes to the USVI?hmmm
The ship is served by highly qualified professionals. How do I know? Because these are doctors and nurses that have met the same qualification they must meet to practice in the USA!
They are not coming to experiment on you. All the medicine and procedures they use have been approved for use in the States.
Dominica is not the only nation they have served or will be serving. They have and will be visiting other nations. It is what they do! They represent their nation, its government, and its flag! They know this and they want people to like them.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
What about people from Salisbury
You Dominicans are such an interesting bunch.
Why is it you want to wrap everything up in politics?
If something is good you imagine the PM is against it. If something is bad you think the PM is promoting it.
Now I am hearing that people will not get treated on the Medical Ship unless they voted for Mr. Skerrit’s
party. I have never met the Gentleman and I know nothing about his politics. But I can assure you he would not stand in the way of any Dominican receiving medical care.
Years ago I had a friend in Toronto who has since passed on. He was a medical doctor and also a born again Spirit filled pastor with a church in Toronto. Dr. Bruce Hartly left me to preach in one of his Sunday services while he conducted a medical mission in Haiti to treat the sick and suffering. He would take no money from the Haitian people for his medical services. There was nothing political about his work in Haiti. It was a labor of love.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill. Evangelist.
All you can say things dominican
Trust Dominicans to make this political and a mockery. Be thankful people. Where is our gratitude?
But what is the role of the Director in this? Shouldn’t the Chief Medical Offocer be the one to come and explain to the public this big mission? This mission doesn’t look like primary care to me at all. It is curative and reconstructive care which includes more secondary care to me……role,role,role….
But the doctor did not say how exactly i can get to see one of the doctors? I would like to Know please. Can somebody tell me how please.
Go early to your district’s location ( that is The Dominica Grammar School if you live in Roseau, or The Roosevelt Douglas Primary School if you live in Portsmouth or Marigot area) just wait on your turn like you would do at your health center and when it’s your turn, you will just go in for your check up. Read the article again dear.
This is intended for the education of ignorant people, and kindergarten educated people such as Grell, one who spells his name in all lower case letters.
Learn and know the purpose of a United States Navy Hospital Ship:
Hospital ships of many types have been part of the United States Navy at least since 1798. Their special status has been internationally recognised under the second Geneva Convention of 1906 and the Hague Convention of 1907.They also saved many lives.
In this list, the particular roles of some hospital ships are identified, e.g. as ambulance vessels, rescue ships, and evacuation ships. Also included are ships that had a dual role, also serving as barracks ships, receiving ships, supply ships or guard ships.
There are others as we are experiencing in Dominica at the moment, it is not because Dominica is unique why they are there, that is one of the purpose they serve.
A labourite was asking me whether they paying your passage to come to town and whether they giving you free food so i say i dont know. If any one knows let me know please so i can inform the labourite.
No free food. Try PMH for transportation.
Are people really so dependent and lacking in initiative? Amazing!
i would think this is primarily for those who have a medical condition.only or those who feel they have a condition and for also having a medical examination for low and high blood pressure, diabetes, eye condition, dental care etc.
I foresee those few days may not be enough to serve the entire country Nevertheless, we know the saying, “Half a loaf is better than none.” Therefore fellow D/cans please take advantage of this free, excellent health care.
Thank the US government and the hospital ship medical team for this opportunity.
Nothing is Free in this world. They tell us its free but we don’t know what the terms are. I just hope they not using us as lab rats in some experiment.
You’re right, nothing is free.
On the other hand, the U.S. could stand to have areas in the world where people didn’t actively hate us. To this end, paying for the health care of some Dominicans is cheap, so we, the taxpayers of the United States, are paying this time.
They will call you first and see if you have a long tail
Thanks for pointing that out.
That’s how they spread diseases in Africa.
You are so right ….because this ship never comes to the USVI .it puts me to wonder.
what they might do is send the president, timothy and tony to check up first then allow other people to go onboard. any one knows what tony have to check up for? the chief seem better those days he not going mad like when lennox had him under pressure during election
But I don’t understand, most Dominicans criticise Gays in America but they are wiling to stand up in long lines all day to be seen by most likely gay married doctors who also pays taxes so that medical boat could be built to come to DA to help you poor hypocrites..
Choops….what you say makes no sense. People criticize others all over the world, whether it’s lifestyle or how they look.
Hey…we aren’t hypocrites. We just like freeness. If the gay population wants acceptance in Dominica, they just need to open a free “clinic,” or give some sort of tangible hand outs. We are a pay-for play nation, leadership is everything my friend, and our leader is a beggar, liar, and whatever you call it when you’ll do and say anything for money.
What does ”gay” have to do with this
We do not refuse professional services from a nurse, doctor, teacher, engineer, journalist or any other person because the individual is gay.
Neither would we refuse charity if we were in need because it involved being helped by a qualified and capable person who was gay, or because gay people had given or contributed to the cause.
On the other hand we would not refuse to serve, assist, or help a homosexual person.
We do not endorse homosexuality and we are against the gay lifestyle. This does not mean we think everything gay people do is bad, wrong, and corrupt, and that they have no place in the world, and nothing to contribute. Nor does it mean we refuse everything regardless of how good, right and sound it may be because homosexual people have had some input into it.
You are trying to create an argument out of nothing and make a case when you have nothing to make it out of.
Sincerely, Rev. Donald Hill…
Third paragraph: This should read ”…if they were in need…” not ”…if we were in need…”.
Sincerely, Rev. Don. Evangelist.
Well for one I would like to know where should I go to get screened to go on the boat, cuz the nurse in Bellevue Chopin knows nothing about that boat. Also, I did not see Bellevue Chopin mentioned on the list. I would really love to take advantage of this opportunity.
This will assist persons who are not financially able to visit a private doctor, to receive professional help for illnesses that have been bothering them for some time. I do wish that the people who are really in need of special care on the island receives this care. This is a very good venture…we need to look out for one another, the American doctors are giving us the due care and attention that we need on the island, lets all thank God Almighty for this mighty gift to our island.
don’t be fooled people this is the Umbrella Corporation running tests on civilians using the T-Virus on unsuspecting individuals, this is just the beginning
Dummy!
Dominicans its for everyone, we often complain that medical bills are expensive, now young old can get a chance to check your health, put your health first and stop worry wha it have and who it for and not for..loooking forward to all OF US DOMINICAn
on reason i would like to go on that ship dere is because i sure it doh have Poopool, Pinez or Pool bwa
all you know is true, but it has more thumbs down
Many people may be in for a long wait in line unless people are screened prior to the arrival and grouped according to priority and health issue and given appointment times. It wasn’t disclosed how many doctors that they had on the ship and how many people that they might be able to handle per day. They did state the hours 9-5.
I hope its for everyone knowing the cronies and the regime thats in charge,if you dont support them you will be left out.
Maybe it’s true but I believe it’s important for people with diabetes, high blood pressure, obesity to try to get on to the boat because the local health centers don’t have the proper medication to help them., no one should feel embarrassed .
Do not condone the thoughts of that stupid guy, that ship has been to many other places in the Caribbean treating the poor and unfortunate for that is what they do; the last time I remember I remember they were in the Caribbean, they were in Haiti. Skerrit did not bring these people to Dominica, I am sure the government was informed of their visit prior to arriving , but that does not mean they came at Skerrit’s invitation.
During a flood a man went on top pf a house calling out to God to send help, help in the form of a boat came to take him to safety, he told the help he is praying for help which will soon come to him, he was left on the roof until the flood waters overwhelmed him and drown him.
That is the mentality of our people, I screw up Skerrit everyday, but I would never loose my head to suggest that only DLP supporters will get medical treatment; that is foolishness!
Don’t be ridiculous!
Skerrit and his cabal has no control over the free services the people are providing to Dominicans. Dominica is not the only place they have rendered such medical services; it would be a mistake for you or any Dominican to allow politics to blind you and prevent yourself from seeking medical attention.
At least, you could be sure when they diagnose you, the diagnosis will be correct, and not false as what Dominicans get from the Cuban quacks operating on the island!
This might be a once in a lifetime chance for you and many other Dominicans!
I so Agree with you my mum is going this morning to sort her self out I cannot be there but i encouraged her to go with her nephew so pleased that something like this is being done I was in Dominica a couple of weeks ago and people there need to be treated but do not have the funds KUDDOS TO THE US THANK GOD
Grell get a life, if you don’t have one walk straight to the ship and ask them for a proper diagnosis of your ailment. You are cold, old and moldy. Wake Up the DLP will be there for another 4 years, make sure you take you heart medication so you don’t get heart attack!
You are a damn fool to believe they will only serve Skerrit’s supporters. Do not worry about me, and my medical issues, I can afford my medical treatment, be it here in America, Dominica, or any place on the planet.
Some Dominicans who know me, and has seen me traveling across America, know that I travel with a paid nurse, out of my pocket just in case I have a problem since I am a diabetic. You all bring politics into everything, Skerrit might be a bad man, but I am sure he is that foolish to try to dictate to any authority on that ship who they should treat.
They are Americans, they are not in Dominica, to get into your dirty political affaires. Politics is not their purpose in Dominica, that is not on their agenda! You are an idiot, shut up just shut up you fool, don’t mind me worry about your pathetic waste of time self! You are one of those who scream for help, and when help comes you tell the help go ahead help will come to you…
“I am sure he is that foolish”
I meant to say I am sure he is not that foolish!
Don’t worry about my heart, worry about yours, If I was dumb like you the first time I was about to have a heart attack, I recognized it, and drove myself to the hospital, when I told them I was about to have a heart attack even the doctor laugh, until they ran some test on me. I can take care of myself: You know why? When Education, and Intelligence was sharing, I ensured I got as much as my brain would allow me, and if I wish at my age I can still peruse a medical career, no one can stop me!
You are not in my class guy!
If i was de captain of that ship i wouldn’t make no labourites come onboard because first of all they does bad talk america they too like freeness and they have their red clinic.
oh captain here is the name of some fellas who does bad talk america so doh treat dem.
KID ON THE BLOCK
FAST N FURIOUS
REAL POSSIE
A DOUBTING THOMAS
LABOUR OF LOVE
CAMALAHH
MAMMY
they will be the first ones in line everyday, while singing “god bless america”
American doctors do not play politics, their first priority
us your health, whether you are insured or not .
Ignorance is bliss.
America needs more health care than Dominica,so you DOM go on that ship and get more complicated problems with health so that the FDA could weaken Dominicans we are not so lucky,this one of AMERICAN health games on DOM hope we donot get no complicated virues after that ship is gone
I hope we all take full advantage of this because we all know that depending on the mdeical assistance and knowledge of the PMH will kill us all #eventually