Primary Health Care Official highlights challenges following closure of Marigot Hospital

Dr. Esprit
Dr. Esprit

Acting Primary Healthcare Director, Dr. Laura Esprit, has highlighted some of the challenges which have arisen following the temporary closure of the Marigot Hospital.

The hospital was closed temporarily after mold and fungus were discovered in the building and its services were moved to the Wesley Health Centre.

Dr. Esprit said at a press conference on Friday that services such as blood taking had to be suspended, “unless it was absolutely necessary or in urgent cases.”

“Some of the challenges and concerns that we have had is for continuity of care and to ensure that there was minimal disruption of care given to that public,” she said. “In an effort to deal with that the pharmacy had to be relocated.”

She said the hospital drug supply had to be moved to a government-owned rented building in the area and the health team had to be on a mobile unit “liaising with the doctor wherever he may go throughout the community, throughout the villages in that district.”

According to Dr. Esprit, the dental unit is now operating from the schools because of limited space within the Wesley Health Centre, and other essential services had to be put on pause.

“There has been a level of disruption and we are trying our best to actually have minimal disruption of those services,” she noted.

Transportation is also posing another major challenge, according to the Primary Health Care Director.

“Right now the public, the persons in the catchment area that we care for, actually have to move from Marigot to Wesley. So, there is a distance, transportation, a cost that is related to that move,” Dr. Esprit explained. “Staff themselves have to adjust to their new location and again there is a travel expense.”

Dr. Johnson
Dr. Johnson

Meantime, Chief Medical Officer Dr. David Johnson, revealed that some of the staff who were working in the facility were complaining of some symptoms which he said may be related to the fact that they were working in the environment where the mold was spreading.

“We also realized that based on the reports that we got from the team, it appears that the fact that the mold was in the facility, some patients might have some sort of reaction to the mold as well,” he said. “So acting in the best interest of the patient and that of our staff who provide services, we felt it’s best to temporarily relocate the services immediately.”

He said in terms of the treatment of the facility and controlling the mold, “it was the best action that the Ministry of Health took…”

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31 Comments

  1. ok then
    June 13, 2016

    ok.

  2. excuse me
    June 13, 2016

    hold on. did I miss something?
    were you suppose to inform the public first of the closure?
    and now you coming with possible challenges? who tell you to say that? rock science you belching there, if you didn’t say that I would never have known. thank you.
    those great observations are above our heads, break it down, say something for even those with at least a little common sense will understand

  3. Again
    June 13, 2016

    *competition

  4. what is this
    June 13, 2016

    Dr Esprit never worked in the Public system how you expect her to know what to do. A problem so obvious and nothing was done to prevent it from getting so far?

    Dr Esprit how comes there was not public notice that the Marigot health centre and newtown health centre was going to be closed or was closed. so if the Marigot people didn’t talk you would just sit in your air condition office and say nothing?

    month end go pick up your salary, you Dr Christmas, Dr Johnson and Helen Royer. enjoy. According to Skerrit, if Dominica was a real country……………………………

  5. what is this
    June 13, 2016

    Dr Christmas is being paid a lot of money to Liaise. So why he didn’t Liaise the poor state of the Newtown and Marigot health centers.

    The problem with the Marigot health center started when Dr Christmas was Director of Primary health care, he failed at his job and they still take him to be liaison officer in health and expect him to perform?

    wait for it…

  6. what is this
    June 13, 2016

    Esprit what you should be explaining, is why under your direct supervision, two health centres closed down?
    the situation in Marigot has been a concern for more than a year. How comes it was left to deteriorate to the point of closure. What you getting paid for. Shame on all of all you. and them sort health workers there retrofitting themselves to make things work?
    Dr Johnson, Dr Esprit and Royer should be locked in fungus invested Marigot health centre and then let them spend two days and three nights in the Newtown health centre.

    the responsibility is yours and if the policy makers won’t give you what it takes to make things happen then the moral fiber in you, if any, should tell you to resign. but no, I guess the money and position too sweet. but trust me, the Dominica public has lost respect and faith in all of you.

  7. Ethelca Brand
    June 13, 2016

    I have to agree with one of the comments made earlier. The mould Just doesn’t appear overnight. It comes in and spread gradually therefore why wasn’t it detected earlier and treated, before it got to this stage.
    Heads must realise the airport is at Marigot and heaven forbid there is an accident, where are the affected going to get emergency treatment before going to Roseau. They will be dead before reaching Princess Margret hospital.
    Positive thinking and expediency is now required.

  8. June 13, 2016

    Look at johnson face how it is fat that tells you i am good and happy and to ….. with the rest a man who come from samsgutter eating fig and pem pe .THAT is proving to the nation that if you have a degree do not necessary demonstrate that you know what you doing.For example the health care in Dominica in general.They collect a salary and nothing being done.I have being studying DOMINICANS for over 25 years at home and abroad and this is what stand out .Providing they are ok or think they have something they do not give a dam than thus talk and brag thinking they are better than others and the prime minister is a typical example.where is the mentality of come together and make it work.

  9. Mein Kampf
    June 13, 2016

    Isn’t Johnson from Marigot, shame on him.

  10. Me
    June 13, 2016

    Who, if not “Doctor” Skerrit? Dr. Christmas perhaps? Where is he. Hiding?

  11. fed up
    June 13, 2016

    When some people say, the country developing, I say the country is falling…… :(

  12. AAGabriel
    June 13, 2016

    Challenges? What do we pay all you for? We pay you to overcome those challenges rather than sitting on your behind all day long and talk. One other thing, if all you would tackle upcoming challenges right at the beginning rather than wait until things spiral out of control your job would be so much easier.

  13. Preacher
    June 13, 2016

    It is so difficult to please the public
    Especially marigot where you have all these UWP
    If the the government had left the hospital open with all this mould and fungus it would be
    Another story
    PM keep your head high and do what’s best
    Let them talk

    • AAGabriel
      June 13, 2016

      You are one sad individual. You have been totally brainwashed!

    • June 13, 2016

      Ignorance will be your down fall this have nothing to do with politics it’s about the health of the Dominicans public, Ministry Timothy , Minister of Health and PM all saying they are going to build a hospital to day we are talking about refurbishing instead, So now others that think of health in general for all Dominicans and what the Governments are planning is not just, that hospital is in the interest of all of us.
      Don’t be jealous of Marigot supporting UWP because you a supporting DLP how silly you look.. By the way if you go to Marigot / Wesley to see what the conversation is all then I will be able to understand your comment otherwise think first.

    • no justice, no peace
      June 13, 2016

      i wonder what preacher are you, just
      preaching crap .

    • mymymy
      June 13, 2016

      Wait…so the mold sprouted overnight. You mean health professionals didn’t see this problem arising to either have it treated or quickly change locations.
      Forget about love/hate Skerrit and think about yourselves for a change and the standards you accept. There is something VERY wrong with the fact that the problem got to the point of building closure and possible affecting already sick people’s health!

  14. dominica last in every thing
    June 13, 2016

    That’s why all you have police men all over wesley and marigot, Mr Johnson you put politics in front of work, put down your foot with you people, the pm don’t like people of marigot so heis not wwilling tho do any thing there, just look at the road by they airport that is to show you all go to hell

  15. indira Ghandi
    June 12, 2016

    All what you two are saying now sound like crap to me
    Mold does not just happen overnight.
    This seems to be a matter of neglect

  16. Ideal
    June 12, 2016

    Dr. Johnson, you are from Samsgutter in Marigot, you need to do better for your people and surrounding
    villages. Leave politics aside and work for the betterment of our people. This is the closest hospital to the main airport, I pray no accidents happen there. This hospital belongs to all Dominicans not just Marigotians. Please have your boss do something before something bad happens.

  17. Face the Facts
    June 12, 2016

    Life is filled with challenges. We can say such is life. All these are tests of patience and resilience.
    It would be a kind gesture for those who have especially buses to assist those who are able to travel by transportation to Wesley for their treatment.
    Many criticize and complain. Who will help in this regard?

  18. June 12, 2016

    this marigot hospital situation is now more than an emergency, it is a crisis. this is beyond politics now. it shows that the govt. is behaving with a bad mindedness towards it’s own citizens with political spite ,vindictiveness , malice and ill will . this issue is very glaring.

  19. %
    June 12, 2016

    The staff should sue this EVIL regime…This gang which largely consists of square pegs in round holes, does not care about the citizens of the country.They only know them when an election is approaching…SUE the wickeds.

    • June 13, 2016

      They would never get a lawyer to take the case because they are all in the pocket of the one man Government, they have lost any integrity and professionalism they had . People you must take what is happening all around in Dominica very seriously don’t put it off any longer because health is important to all.

  20. truththe
    June 12, 2016

    Houses are rented in almost all areas to house doctors,phamacist , firemen, nurses. Why an appropriate building can’t be rented for a clinic in the Marigot area? Can’t you see there is an over load of patients in the PMH. In case of a disaster what is going to happen ? Where is Dr. Darroux, mrs. Justina Charles you both worked in Primary Care Setting. Health care must be available, accessable, affordable, acceptable, appropriate. Do we forget the ” great A’ s ” of Primay Health Care. Our Health System is really failing. A healthy Nation is a Wealthy Nation. Our economy cannot improve without a Health Nation.

    • June 13, 2016

      Justina Charles is also part Marigot her dad is from there now her mouth is shot now.

  21. D/can to de Bone(F)
    June 12, 2016

    This is serious matter the government should act on the matter long time, In the country where i reside once mould is found the council will re house you immediately. THE HEALTH MINISTER SHOULD HAVE TAKEN ACTION LONG TIME . The MP fro the area should had call a meeting with the minister

  22. Concern citizen
    June 12, 2016

    Yet still Dominicans remain silent, other than if not SKERRO who now?

  23. Doc. Love
    June 12, 2016

    When you listen to those medical experts, you would believe the problems facing the Marigot hospital stated two weeks ago. Let me remind them that the problems had taken a serious turn since 2014. They must be honest with the people of Marigot. They all know it is because of SKeritt’s dislike for Mr. Linton why the people of Marigot are made to suffer. By trying to sweeping Skeritt’s motives under the rug in an effort to defend him isn’t only hurting Mr. Linton but the whole country. As soon as Joshua found himself into trouble, Skeritt gave approximately half a million dollars to the Roseau South Constituency. During the by-election in Soufierre, he gave the village council approximately half a million dollars. It is alleged the DLP spent approximately two million dollars to win the election, so, when those experts talk of challenges, be honest, they should challenge Skeritt and demand that he stops his evil and wicked ways against the people of Marigot.

    • concern citizen abroad
      June 21, 2016

      I am not political , it’s not my interest , but we must call a spade a spade . If that is the case that the Prime Minister is suffering the Marigot people because he gets opposition from Mr. Linton , then you have a serious problem Mr. Prime Minister. In life we can only become strong when we can face our adversaries and if you cannot face the challenges that will build you and make you a strong leader , it is two things , it is ,that you are a very weak leader or you are aiming to become a dictator . You need to listen to the opposition and take onboard what ever the challenges are , . Marigot needs a Hospital , give them a hospital , they need roads , give them roads , everything your opposition need give it to them . This is a good strategy to win them over the next election . You see you all are not wise politicians , that’s the problem here and You are a weak leader for you do not know that challenges make you tough , strong and successful. TAKE MY SILLY ADVISE MR. PRIME…

  24. Channel 1
    June 12, 2016

    The key question that has to be directed with fervent heat at the relevant officials is HOW AND WHY DID IT HAVE TO REACH TO THIS STAGE. Phew!!!

    This is a serious indictment on the health system and those in charge of the health sector in Dominica. This same hospital was closed some time ago for termites; the main hospital has been plagued with bed begs and other issues in recent times.

    Somebody or somebodies out there are not doing the proper job(s) for which they are being paid!!!!!!!!!!!!

    The taxpayers of this country are being VAMPARIZED by this absolutely backward government of Roosevelt Skerrit and just look at the kind of despicable service the taxpayers of this country are getting over and over again.

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