Dozens of Marigot residents, joined by members of the Dominica Nurses Association (DNA) and other supporters, gathered near the police station in Marigot on Monday to protest against the current lack of proper health care services in that community.
Residents say they are frustrated with the delay in the construction of a much-needed hospital at Marigot which has been compounded by the lack of a proper alternative facility for the provision of health services.
The hospital was shut down in 2016 due to mold and fungus infestation of the building which housed the facility. Prior to that, it was closed because of a severe termite infection. Its services were moved to the Wesley Health Centre.
Promises of the construction of a new Marigot Hospital have not materialized despite an announcement by the DLP administration that the Government of Mexico has committed US$5-million for the construction of the hospital.
The protesters said the facility was needed not just for Marigot but for the area stretching from the Kalinago Territory through Marigot, Wesley, Woodford Hill to Calibishie.
“It’s not political. It’s not about politics,” one protester said. “It’s about asking for what we need and we really need a proper healthcare in this community.”
She continued, “We feel we have been disrespected…we need somebody to listen to us and take this matter seriously. We have the airport right here…we have schools. We have our elderly. I mean, we really need a hospital; we really need proper healthcare.”
In March 2018, Health Minister Kenneth Darroux said the government was awaiting the designs from the United Nations Office for Project Services (UNOPS) to construct the hospital.
Do not look for that $5 million from Mexico, Mexico has their own problems supporting the thousands of migrants from all other south American countries passing through trying to get into the United States. Maybe Skerrit can make a withdrawal from his foreign bank account from all those millions he deposited of donated money after hurricane Maria.
“The hospital was shut down in 2016 due to mold and fungus infestation of the building which housed the facility. Prior to that, it was closed because of a severe termite infection. Its services were moved to the Wesley Health Centre.”
Since 2016, we have been informed that this health facility has deteriorated with a disease just like the sitting corrupted labour government. This politics of this failed government has been infested with corrupt known mold and fungus that has infested most of Dominica’s decency. We are now emboldened within a corrupt infested Labour government headed by ministers who are not trained nor aware of the political poison inflicted by this failed Odd Minister and his worthless 18 ministers, who has and continue to destroy and infest poison politics upon us Dominicans. We have deteriorated severely by a hopeless leader who has no knowledge of good governance nor decency of good politics. Its all about this so called Skerro that we love blindly that hurt…
…But it isn’t the government holding up the project. They have explained an several occasions that the funding is controlled by a third party which we have no control over. This has been explained several times and that’s why i think this is all political. Those blue nurses are not helping their cause at all.
“They have explained an several occasions that the funding is controlled by a third party which we have no control over.” Azul, you believe that BS Nonsense? I can tell you from where I sit upstairs this is not true. As yourself the question, why the funding is controlled by a third party which we have no control over? It has to do with trust, compliance and accountability. We guess the the proposal may not have been well put together and submitted with appropriate cause that he money will be well spent without a doubt. We this corrupt labour government too well, with the Bin Bobol and the Fertilizer Bool Have you forgotten, has the money been returned and counted for?. Azul, do yo trust Skerrit? Well, I dont and we the people dont. Too much Bobol goes in by this failed corrupt Labour Government. Donors normally do their homework before they execute their hard earns funds that there will be accountability.
Corrupt Labour mut go, get lost, go away, you all have failed us. Skerro…
…yes and you still believe in Father Christmas. Skerrit and Co. are seasoned liars!
Frankly I would like to see people from the kalinago Territory, Concord, Wesley, Woodforhill and Calibishie, even employees at the Douglas Charles Airport, police officers and schools all join with the people of Marigot in this protest as this affects everyone. If we still have honesty then those supporting the UWP party, Labour Government, Freedom Party, Pappy, and even none voters should all converge on Marigot or in the different communities in protest. That hospital is a NEED not a WANT! This is NOT a political thing its every individually thinking and Honest individual right. EVERYONE NEEDS PROPER HEALTH CARE AND THAT HOSPITAL PERIOD!
And you too. You should join. We should all join the protests. Its not about Marigot its about the absence of a hospital in an Airport town. This has the potential of affecting all of us. Why should I be ill in Marigot and have to drive to Portsmouth or Roseau to get medical care. If there is an accident at the Airport, an hospital should be in close proximity to allow for any emergencies. Shame on this Government for such Neglect. After 20 years in Office instead of rebuilding or upgrading the hospital you tear it down and give empty promises to the people. Have some respect!!
I find myself asking often, why the constant protest? What happened to open forums and discussion between ministers, other such delegates and civil society? Issues are often met firstly with aggression and anger. What do we seek to gain from that? An open forum allows us to civically and effectively understand the sides of both coins. It’s like we are looking for an uprising. I wonder if we are thinking of the “what afters” if one were to truly breakout. Health is a critical component to economic development but I must ask, some questions that are to be answered synchronously. Should the majority of the capital be directed in one sector and how feasible is it that a country directs it’s financial capital in major programmes and projects simultaneously. Let me comment that Dominica is one of the few LDC where we see several major projects occurring concurrently.
You posed the question why not an open forum. Here’s why my dear, a few years ago when Helen Royer was P.S of health the health team did meet with her and the minister of health De Darroux. That was long before the hospital was closed down due to termite infestations. The Mexican authority gave millions of dollars to our Government to build a new hospital in marigot, it’s been years now and not even a ground breaking ceremony.
So This open forum you suggest is great however the ministry of health have been ignoring our invitation to sit and discuss new ways forward. So after so many years of being ignored, it’s time to take a different approach. Marigot needs a hospital, it’s not a want. We all deserve exceptional health care services whether we support red or blue.
Your assertions on very pertinent issues affecting the vast majority of residents are just ludicrous and thoughtless. Healthcare is a RIGHT and government should provide an excellent healthcare system as sickness is inevitable. Get your statements right, Dominica is at the extreme rear end of all economic or developmental indictors in the sub-region. Contrary to your assertion that Dominica is a shining light, I’m paraphrasing, here are some raw, hard and irrefutable facts. Dominica has the worst performing economy and the biggest unemployment and underemployment rate, worst air and sea ports facilities, most severely lacking in recreational, sporting, shopping and entertainment amenities. Truth be told, living in Dominica is akin to living in a bygone era. Most things are just not functioning for the maximum benefit of the commoners: the healthcare system, economy, public service, security system, education………. The place is one monumental mess!
,This comment is so right and well presented that those silly blind clowns of Skerrit are unable to comprehend the bogger picture. All these Skerrit`s boom boom fly clowns do is talk nonsense and attack UWP and others un-necessarily because they posses no knowledge of truth.
“Get your statements right, Dominica is at the extreme rear end of all economic or developmental indictors in the sub-region. Contrary to your assertion that Dominica is a shining light, I’m paraphrasing, here are some raw, hard and irrefutable facts. Dominica has the worst performing economy and the biggest unemployment and underemployment rate, worst air and sea ports facilities, most severely lacking in recreational, sporting, shopping and entertainment amenities. Truth be told, living in Dominica is akin to living in a bygone era. Most things are just not functioning for the maximum benefit of the commoners: the healthcare system, economy, public service, security system, education.” Domininca is a failed…
Carlty, “Dominica is one of the few LDC where we see several major projects occurring concurrently.” Please tell us where you see these major projects and how are they profiting our poor people in deep poverty since the day on adult suffrage. Sir, I am a field officer and I am all over Dominica practically every day of the week and I am shocked and saddened what I see in this year of 2019. Farmers are roaming the streets, mothers, grandmothers and parents are out there looking to see where the next supper comes from and we have corrupt, inept, failed Prime Ministers enjoying weekly flights all over the world while our people suffer because Skerrit`s failed labour Government has failed us and imposed poverty and suffering on our people.
We have had enough and this failed immature Skerrit must Go. He has not led a government, he has not led we the people of Domininca, he has moreseo opened this Red Clinic and bought us. We need jobs and we need Skerrit to get Lost. Skerrit Just GO.
Eddison James met the people of Marigot well off.Lots of fish,meat money,food rich people.They had everything they wanted.Then they voted Eddison .He did absolutely nothing for neither Dominica nor Marigot.We love our Nurses I know they are better trained than those in the USA.We also know ROSIE FELIX and the UWP supporters are using them for their political end.They say nothing is happening in Dominica.Stadium,NightLanding,State house,New Grammar school ,New Hospital,NEP every fortnight we have $ 1 800 000 in circulation from the NEP and many many more.A vehicle for every two persons.Lazy Traitots
wait for it still. pawns in a chess game. Meanwhile, nothing happening in the country. roseau dread dread dread. People only paying bills and buying groceries. no life in the country. Salaries finishing fast fast fast and cost of living only getting more expensive. wait for the hospital in Marigot. I dont know why soome angel investor doesnt just come in and establish a private hospital for the betterment of people in the north and north east and tell those politicians to take a hike.
Skerrit must go, go on for the next 40 years leaving marigot without a hospital i say. These people are to wicked, lazy and dishonest. When someone dies, there are funeral homes and undertakers. DONT BUILD ANY HOSPITAL!!!!
“A man who can read is free”(Frederick Douglas).’Illiteracy is a man’s worst enemy'(FET).
Simply because someone can in a way read and write a line, and use a smart phone to write some on the Internet, dose not make them literate.
Any individual who would confuses Health Care with laziness must be a confounded idiot!If I say to someone don’t seek medical attention when they are ill (sick), be it in a medical clinic; general or private hospital, I would have to be more delusional than an idiot!
So, for one to say do not build a hospital of which the Mexican Government has already contributed the money for such purpose; have to be a very ignorant, a very illiterate individual!
I read the fool, and could have ignored responding; nevertheless, intelligent people must expose the stupidity of such ignorant people, because it is the fools like them who keep voting an inept, and incompetent ignorant people in power which cause Dominica to be so backwards.
I say, sack these lazy nurses and bring in foreign nurses who are genuinely interested in helping save peoples lives. This small group of nurses only interested in playing UWP politics with peoples lives.
This is a typical DLP supporter. These people will even defend government policies that are detrimental to their health and general wellbeing. It’s very baffling that a human mind can become so warped. The selfless nurses should be embraced and this selfish Skerrit-DLP-led regime deserves our collective scorn. Then again,too many of us love the people who hate us and hate the people who love us. Life is so unfair.
How insulting and ignoramous statement only comes from the mouth of a political blind clown to appease his failed Pm, Skerrit. Eagle-Eyes, go get your eyes tested because you are really blind to the surrounding that you live in, and this is sad for a person like you to say. Go take a drive around the island see the obvious poverty and decline in agriculture where farmers and families are no longer earning money because Skerrit has killed our economy and sells our birth right, passports to very weird people out there. Where has the money gone from the sales of these passports? Skerrit and your bool clowns we need to know and some day you will have to account for the lost and seemingly abuse of our states funds. Skerrit and his corrupt failed Labour government must Go and now too. We will welcome Hon Linton and his professional UWP Team to bring some decency to our ailing nature island. Dominicans be ready to be alert to be part of this new development plan to take back our Domininca.
These nurses need to stop playing politics with such a serious issue. We all know the politics of the leader of the nursing Association and while the issue of health should never be taken for granted but from my vantage point this is mere political expediency for the UWP.
Marigot needs to Sue the Government for demolishing the Marigot Hospital which could have been Refurbished.
Don’t worry with them stupid UWP People In Marigot. Build Hospital and no homes, UWP will still use their stupid agenda to turn the minds of the few. They’re suppose to direct all this frustration towards Lennox Linton, he has done not a thing help. Lazy Lennox will loose this election no matter what Marigot do. I cannot see myself supporting that foolish UWP Party.
Alford Remus, we pray for your ignoramus and lack of mental decency in reducing yourself to the bottomless pit of acknowledging the poor governance and worse Prime Minister and government we have seen in Domininca. Wake up and find a way to get yourself and your friends to work towards on how best we can take back our Domininca from this failed Skerrit and his corrupt Labour government. Too many of our people are suffering.
Yesss, I like to see that. It was only a matter of time before the people start an uprising. Who else?
What part of Marigot did this demonstration take place?
All these monies the double doctor has giving all over the country. Y not just do something Constructive with that money, Like building the marigot hospital. Please PM listen to the peoples cry. Who knows you might very well be the Beneficiary of it since you’re always out of the country. Am such u use Melvin hall Airport alot.
They found it fit to build a large Police Station in Marigot because of the distance between Concorde and Calibishie. They found it fit to build a Magistrate’s Court in Marigot for the very same reason. They were both damaged but quickly rebuilt after HM. The Marigot Hospital was built for the same purpose. The Hospital is just as important, if not more (airport close by), yet the area has been without for five years? That’s a hard pill to swallow (no pun intended).
The lack of proper healthcare facilities in Margot or anywhere in the country should not be taken lightly. It is simply INEXCUSABLE! It’s not a privilege, it is a right that all Dominicans should have ready access to health services provided by their duly elected government. Every time the aggrieved people rightfully demonstrate for better, the misguided supporters deliberately and wrongfully accuse the demonstrators of playing politics-that’s their Party’s Anthem. They ( DLP supporters) are the ones playing politics with people’s life. This is not a government in its infancy so you can excuse them of having teething problems. This is a government with grey hair (nineteen consecutive years of control). Skerrit and his Ministers go overseas for their check-ups and medical care so why bother with the abysmal state of the health sector in the country. People, it’s only through CHANGE you will get relief. Enough is Enough!
Dont build any hospital!!!! These peopl are wicked lazy and dishonest.
Did you really thought that statement out.God forbid you never get sick where there are no health services or health professionals.
You are clearly a regular at the red clinic and call other people lazy!! No doubt you got a new passport house as well. Disgusting!
It appears that this “Marigot Man” is sick in his understanding of what is going on in his surrounding? Poor fella, please someone educate and update this man on the importance of good health care for all of the Marigot people, that is, babies, children,, the elderly, and passers-by to and from the airport. You blind Labour, Skerrit promoters, wake up, your comments are not of quality as you all just regurgitates the same old bobol and useless thoughts of your failed leader Skerrit. This Skerrit must Go, he has failed us, killed our economy and we no longer produce goods to be exported apart for the corrupted passports schemes that we have no details of. Skerrit must go, he the biggest liability to our Domininca and he must Go.
Phoney as a $3. Dollar bill is % and views expressed. Show yourself as a man and stop hiding. Why can’t you show your constituency that you could MANUP, take the bull by the horn, identity and clean a place where your families in Marigot could come in cases of emergency. The foreigners at the hospitals don’t look for colors, but rather they serve with humanity. Nurses your call to action is strictly political.
Marigot man for yours and family sake I hope and pray that you or your family members never get sick or have an emergency in Dominica that will need immediate attention or maybe you are one of those rolling in jumbie money so you can fly out of Dominica quickly for medical attention.
I will keep you in my prayers because you sure need it.
so the people in the north and north east dont deserve convenient health care? Ok Dr.
Jonathan y St.Jean you and your family have nothing in Dominica.In the 70’s and 80’s Marigot was the best place to live.When Edisson became Prime Minister what happen to Marigot? He did absolutely nothing he failed the people.Linton is even worse .Skeritt,built back Dominica after Hurricane Maria .Walking with your EYES close ……
What did your Edison James did for you all in Marigot, nothing at all only a few housing foundations that didn’t finished with cheap rusty steel rods black Adder snake 🐍 Linton collecting money from all conners of the world for his self because he knows this is his last chance. Pm Skerrit building a new hospital in Marigot for better health care in a matter of fact marigot has never had it so good. “Skerrit one man One love forward we go”
I’m in solidarity with all you. Well done, I just hope more and more citizens start taking to the roads. We have to stop that Skerrit orchestrated pappy show now.
It is time for all Civil Servants to come out with us to show solidarity for our health care providers. How can people still be supporting Skerro after he has clearly failed our country?
Country before party and I stand resolute with my nurses to bring care to all of us.
Where is the minister of health in all this?? look some lazy people!!
Da, Shut your dam mouth what do you know about Dominica health services. When so-called Workers clowns were in office that same lots and others could not afford food and paying their bills because Edison James government would not pay any salaries for months. Now don’t come writing crap on things you know nothing about. “one love Labour one love Skerrit”
Its A dam shame Nurses have to go through this,,,, And for a True Dominican and family person to be against this nurses today,,,, And defends the pm and people who stand against the nurses is downright Evil,, malicious,, no heart of a person,,,, i read a comment under a post saying,,, “the nurses want to protest now… it makes nomsense because they have so much attitude and lazy etc,,,, i lolololololol,,,,, because Not putting aside the attitude of some nurses,,, but in ever institution we go,, we encounter some persons or persons with attitudes which is wrong,,,,, But my question would be Are the conditions that the nurses are working in is comfortable , Suitable, functionable and capable for them to domtheir jobs effectively ,,, NOOOO its not…… so when you getba bad attitude from a nurse ,,,, remember that first before allu wicked people talk….. And u people that Love Allu pm so much ,,, pray to God u or your Family dont end up in it,,, make sure allu have health insurance
@Metbodazor, Read carefully before you start flapping about my comments was directed at Da, and the union leader which is a part of Workers party. Nothing said off the nurses.
Skerritt is pinning his hopes on the new hospital to solve all health-related issues in the country. Right now Dominica doesn’t have a properly functioning hospital. He is rushing along and talking about an attempt to build an international airport. After 19 years Dominica doesn’t have either a functioning hospital nor international airport. All we gave is pie in the sky. I fully support the people of Marigot standing up for their community and the rest of Dominica. Since Skerritt and Tony said that money wasn’t a problem, then what is the problem? It’s a lack of foresight coupled with management skills to prioritize things and make them a reality. God forbid a plane crash in the Melville Hall area Dominica will have another black eye from this inept government. Even the everyday lives of Marigot people are in danger because of long distance from there to Roseau. Stand up and fight for what us right
I am in solidarity with you all. A government that neglets the health of the citizenry, has really given up on it’s ability to govern.
Skerrit Must Go
Skerrit Must Go
LAZY Skerrit Must Go Now
That’s so true, %. This incumbent government has lost its right to govern. Healthcare has become a major crisis on island. Remember the thousands of locals who sought medical attention on the visiting Chinese floating hospital? That was cause for alarm. It is indicative of the overwhelming healthcare mess in the country.
Amen, we concur with you IBO France, fully as to the realities of what is happening. Those blind loyalists of Skerrit are there ony to defend their failed Skerrit and they know that there is no way That Skerrit can match up to the intellectual of Hon Lennox Linton the next Prime Minister of Dominica. You see, these failed labourites are scared, their Skerrit is fast slipping down hill t the political abyss where he belongs. He has been a waste of time, a failure and a nuisance to the lack of development, jobs, decency in our nature island. Skerrit must Go, he has to Go, he mist Go. Election time we will get him out followed by his blind failed 18 ministers.
Dominicans we welcome Hon Lennox Linton , incoming Prime Minister and his trusted, honest professional UWP team.