STAY WELL & SPARKLE – Be Careful What You Wish For

Dr. Darroux
Dr. Darroux

Yeah right!

In recent times, every shortcoming in healthcare is placated with a singular promise. When we receive the Chinese gift of our brand new hospital, everything will be just fine. Well, just ask the Afghans. Click here.

I will posit a brief historical analysis. Please correct me where I am wrong. Jump high, jump low, at the end of the day, we Dominicans have to make our own decisions and govern ourselves accordingly.

In the 1980’s and 90’s, the Eugenia Charles government laid the solid groundwork for Dominica’s healthcare system. Succeeding administrations seize the baton and bolt with it. As a result, Dominica’s healthcare is touted as a model for the developing world. In those days of Dr. Bernard Sorhaindo, patients would travel from other eastern Caribbean countries for surgical care in Dominica. Imagine that! Today, many patients fear Princess Margaret Hospital. Those who can, flee on the first flight out, beginning with those at the top. How far have we fallen!

I have publicly commended Health Minister, Hon. Kenneth Darroux on his outstanding personal performance in Petite Savanne in the aftermath of Erika. I have called, written and visited his office on several occasions to discuss matters of concern, to no avail.

Passive or active recipients?

My Urgent Care medical office is located near the Stadium entrance. As I was leaving my office for the day, I was asked to treat a Chinese national who had fallen and seriously injured himself while repairing the scoreboard. I found it interesting they did not take him to Casualty.

“Ni Hao!” I offered confidently in my limited Chinese. The excited patient unleashed a torrent of Mandarin that made my head swim.  Okay, let’s stick to English.

I inquired through a translator, which Dominicans were working with him. None, was his reply. I wondered, so long we have the Stadium, why were no local persons trained to do the job? Is scoreboard operations rocket science? Don’t we have the intelligence or is it the old strategy to keep us dependent. Stadium management routinely complains that instruction manuals are in Mandarin, not up to certain international codes, fixtures rusting, cannot source spare parts – they have to keep waiting on the Chinese. I’m just a doctor so I cannot speak with authority on such things. I pray to God that those blessed with the appropriate expertise will have the courage to set the record straight.

As I said before, Dominicans are very grateful for the Stadium and I routinely defend the rights and contributions of our Chinese friends. But don’t take us for granted. Likewise, the brand new hospital is a fait accompli. Loan or gift, the ink has dried on the agreement. I strongly recommend a board of local architects, engineers and builders to monitor and TO BE INVOLVED IN THE CONSTRUCTION in the public interest. That’s what the Grenadian government demanded – and got!

Did someone not say this? “Neither do people pour new wine into old wineskins. If they do, the skins will burst; the wine will run out and the wineskins will be ruined. No, they pour new wine into new wineskins, and both are preserved.”

You see that circus atmosphere surrounding the lawsuit of nurse suing doctors for negligence and incompetence in her breast cancer care? For sure, malpractice happens everywhere. But here’s why in developed countries such things do not reach this dismal state. Is it true that the Attorney General failed to respond to a proper request from Trinidad for additional information? I am no legal expert, but it sounds to me this would be tantamount to pleading the 5th: I refuse to testify on the grounds that I will incriminate myself.

The way forward

I am former Medical Advisor to the Cancer Society in Seneca County Ohio and current Medical Advisor to the Dominica Cancer Society. I have performed hundreds of breast biopsies and scores of mastectomies. I feel for this nurse because my entire training is geared to prevent compounding such unnecessary disasters. Be assured I will never ever trade my right to speak for the ultimate privilege of operating at Princess Margaret Hospital where I was born. No one can block me forever. Having a new structure is important – revamping professionalism and integrity even more so. This is the new wine that we need.

Dr. Sam Jan 23

Morale is at an all-time low and malaise is at an all-time high in Dominica. This year’s crop of calypsos colourfully captures that, don’t you think? It is sad that so many have given up on the vision. Such a defeatist, docile attitude… Brace yourself! In the coming years, our healthcare system will be returned to it former glory. And you will be part of it! Competence and experience will be celebrated, not shunned. We will leverage our medical schools to make Dominica a wellness haven, a tranquil and polite place to live and work, to refresh and recharge.

Thank God for readers like you that give us hope. We will fulfill our national goal of a people strong healthy. We will monitor new hospital construction closely using our collective wisdom. Given the plight of the Afghan Health Ministry described in that documentary, we do not have the option of messing up PMH any further. Where would we go? Marigot Hospital? No way will we allow another white elephant to trample our development aspirations.

 

Dr. Sam Christian is a syndicated columnist focusing on health-related development issues. Contact him at [email protected], by calling 767 440-9133 or logging onto the Urgent Care website 

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39 Comments

  1. January 25, 2016

    Afghanistan is a big country. There are lots of official American, Canadian and European interests on the ground. Al Jazeera is Muslim and it is clear they don’t appreciate the disrespect of the Chinese of a Muslim brother country. Buildings in China are up to scratch, but they send prisoners and people on probation to do shoddy workmanship on aid projects.

    That’s the way they do things. Same story in Africa. If that new hospital has to operate like the Windsor Park Stadium, we’ll be in a lot a lot of trouble. There will be nothing but more wailing and gnashing of teeth. Dr. Sam, you couldn’t have done a greater patriotic service than warning us what is to come if we keep burying our head in the sand.

  2. Ma Moses
    January 25, 2016

    I wonder if that hospital is not going to Portsmouth after all just like they moved that hotel from Melville Hall to the Cabrits. I suspect that is where the Chinese activity, including a casino is going to be concenctrated and that hospital is targeting the Chinese influx that is coming in the first place. Mark my words.

  3. nicole
    January 25, 2016

    Good food for thought. But im just wondering why he put a picture of Dr. Darroux here. Makes it seem like there is a hint of personal vendetta.

    But ba well written piece with some very valid points

    • Who Decides
      January 25, 2016

      The Health is the captain of the ship of everything happening in his ministry. He continue to penalize the doctor for his political views, no matter how many could benefit from his superior skill. Can you imagine anything more personal than that? Which other face would you suggest?

  4. anonymous2
    January 25, 2016

    One thing the people here have to understand………he who builds it……owns it.

    • Tjebe Fort
      January 25, 2016

      So we don’t own the Stadium, State House and State College then? Are you serious? Maybe you’re right. The Chinese could have a charge on that and take it in case we don’t pay back our loan?

  5. Native
    January 24, 2016

    Correction: in the preceding comment, where it reads “Now all Dominicans are illiterate”, was meant to read, Not all Dominicans are illiterate.

  6. Native
    January 24, 2016

    DNO, if Dr Sam Christian is the contributor of the article, what is Darroux’s picture doing at the top of that article and Sam’s photo at the bottom. I can see why Volney mistook Darroux as the contributor, because I, too, was confused, given the openness, the genuineness, the candidness, and clarity with this article was written, knowing that Dr. Darroux is too deeply entrenched and saddled with the cronyism of the Skerrit administration to write such a brilliant and straight forward piece. May I suggest, DNO, that in the future, your avoid confusing your readers by the poor journalist gymnastics that you employ in conveying your information, because now all Dominicans are illiterate, and there are international readers who scour the site to stay informed of what is transpiring in Dominica. Please be a little more professional in the way in which you present or lay out your articles and images.

  7. love I
    January 24, 2016

    That is why I love Dice and Boople songs….hit them hard….people suffering in Dominica….Dominicans can build too…toney man

  8. love I
    January 24, 2016

    Thank you Doctor Sam Christian…. this government killing everything…We do not have to have a New Hospital for things to be better…put all the things in place at the PMH…and nonsense Darroux talking…speak out as a Doctor for the people…sad sad sad for Dominica…what about Margot. …Portmouth…in this day and age…they should build a mini hospital maybe in St. JOSEPH AREA…..Big big let down PM and Ministers….but Dominicans keeping too quiet..

  9. Let us End the Beggar Philosophy
    January 24, 2016

    The smiling doctor who say he is a minister………. He :-x said he would be different from his master skerrit but is only foreigners that have a say in Dominica today

    All his friends gone to foreign when they sick and the hospital is the worst in living memory. These guys are puppets who walk on Dominicans whIle they sell the country. We know China was built by Chinese. Chinese would never allow others to come in their country and control things like they do here on Dominica. We have good masons, carpenters, electricians and architects so why should we have the Chinese dominate us like that? It is time to put a stop to this neocolonialism and prepare to work hard to build our own country. Time to get rid of this pseudo Labor party with a beggar philosophy.

    Dr Sam is right let us have a board made up of honest competent Dominicans to oversee the new hospital and let us have our construction workers eat a bread for a change while building our country.

  10. viewsexpressed
    January 24, 2016

    Thanks Dr. Sam, much appreciated. I hope not in the too distant future we will be able to enjoy the fruits of our own labour and have dedicated and good mature professionals running our country.
    We are fed up with this …..government and its leaders.

  11. Tjebe Fort
    January 24, 2016

    Welcome on board Dr. Sam. Finally! Just. Healthcare has nothing to do with politics. It should be available equally to all at the best of our ability. We don’t want special clinic for the privileged apid for by government. We used to be proud of what we had we should go back there, and beyond. But please can we make sure these Chinese doctors they are going to send us can speak proper English and are trained to western standards? Please!

  12. Peter Potter
    January 24, 2016

    There we go Skerrit, I guess your way of thinking: what is good enough for Afghanistan is good enough for Dominica.
    Why on earth does this clueless government not consult with Dominicans at home and abroad in important matters like this, who are specialists in their chosen field of occupation? The author of the article no doubt could contribute significantly in getting this hospital right. Instead we leave it in the ‘capable’ hands of Skerrit and Darroux. Bottom line: another white elephant and waste of money and resources in the making! Mark my words.

  13. Excited and impressed
    January 24, 2016

    Who is the “we” you talk about that is going to do all these things? Lennox Linton and UWP? Freedom Party? Two of you guys in coalition or somebody else?

    The problem with Freedom is you guys keep talking about what an old dead woman did or didn’t do. You guys better stop about talking about funerals of old Freedomites and more about how you going to offer youth and farmers and working people something different, something positive.

    And I believe you can!

    • viewsexpressed
      January 25, 2016

      YOu are too excited, try to grasped and engaged in some political historical thoughts.

  14. tj
    January 24, 2016

    When I go took a store and I Chevy the label and it said made in China I would immedistely put it down. It may look good but the quality.

  15. Doctor Christian Tell Them Read Their Proverbs
    January 24, 2016

    Dr Sam you have used your scalpel of critical analysis to dissect the rotten mentality of Darroux and this government behind My Dominica Trade House. In their fairy tales they build hospitals in the sky while selling the country. Beggars in red is what they have become, oppressing anyone and everyone who dare to spotlight their crookedness. Don’t worry Sam where they crucify a good man who has done so much for his country from school days.

    The Chinese must use local expertise on this project, or we will get trash.

    Be strong and do well by your people good doctor!

  16. imperial prince
    January 23, 2016

    what a master piece. i concur with this fully. You also mentioned something hidden in plain sight, that would benefit both this little country’s economy and healthcare sector, that is, the massive potential we have been blessed with in two medical schools which sadly has not been optimised, not even a third of what could have been. Still really sad every time someone has to fly away for health care. one day i will be one of those who will revolutionize this system, and hopefully, far surpass the setup alluded to in this piece;

  17. Michael
    January 23, 2016

    I quote the doctor here: ” Is scoreboard operations rocket science? Don’t we have the intelligence or is it the old strategy to keep us dependent. Stadium management routinely complains that instruction manuals are in Mandarin, not up to certain international codes, fixtures rusting, cannot source spare parts – they have to keep waiting on the Chinese. ”

    This is so typical of this blasted government we have had for 16 years! No vision, not willing or able to get our own people involve in their own development, letting the Chinese totally run the show because it’s their monies financing the projects. Why can’t Dominicans be trained to maintain a simple thing like a scoreboard? damn it with this government, man!

  18. engineer
    January 23, 2016

    My man Sam, I do like the way you said it. Neither do people pour new wine in old skin wine skin. Sam you are absolutely correct. I assume that you are saying having a new hospital is good, but having medical professionals who cannot diagnose right will defeats the purpose. It’s time for Dominica’s current and future medical professionals step up the plate on improving their studies and perfecting their skills to avoid future embarrassment where patients still have to be air lifted to other islands for medical treatment due to misdiagnosed. Sam you also mentioned Dr. Bernard Sorhaindo. Patients came to Dr. Sorhaindo because he perfected skills as a medical professional and was good at it. The man was a genius. I am hoping that Dominica’s current and future doctors will take heart and do the same. Thanks Sam for this outstanding stay well & sparkle.

  19. January 23, 2016

    much needed shightings a need for much more loud speeches such as these. well done

  20. Cyril Volney
    January 23, 2016

    Well said, DR. Darroux. A new structure will not fix that disaster that is PMH. It is time for an independent board of citizens to be appointed to manage the hospital. Successive ministers of Health have failed.

    • Tjebe Fort
      January 25, 2016

      Mr. Volney, next time put your glasses on and read the whole article before you have another senior moment. You can always go and see Dr. Sam to help you. Is he wrote the article you know but I agree with your comments.

  21. Zandoli
    January 23, 2016

    Dr Sam, I remember reading one of your articles some time ago where your promoted Dominica as a place for retirees and one of the things your highlighted was the superior health care system.

    Are you saying that the conditions deteriorated that much in the past two years?

  22. Captain not there
    January 23, 2016

    Is about time doctors come together and speak up as a group. If Dr. Sam is telling lies, expose him. If he’s telling the truth, let’s get together and put an end to this damn nonsense! This is a matter of life and death for people who cannot afford.

    Come on Dominica. This not funny anymore. You have the government you deserve. If you want better, step up and do something.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 25, 2016

      Captain, one thing you need to realize is that most of the doctors working in the hospitals in Dominica are puppets of the government. They tremble at the sight of Skerrit, Skerrit owns them; they fear if they speak out against Skerrit, and the incompetence of the government he will fire them, and they will stave!

      If I was a medical doctor, there is no way I would subject my human respect, my inelegance, my dignity, and profession to any politician, some of those professional in our country operates like children, they get down on their knees and worship a man, who could not even finish college, yet he goes on a political platform with a black graduating gown and cap throwing them up in the sky, impressing Dominicans that he graduated.

      Such attires are bought in the streets all over America just prior to graduation, at least students buy them cheaper on the streets, and swap-meets than they pay for them in the student supply stores in the colleges, and universities. Those…

  23. DR Clayton Shillingford
    January 23, 2016

    Sam..good for you These are some of the things that need to be addressed but many others are scared to discuss..

    I saw a similar situation at One Mile.. The Chinese were in the fields… weeding, , working in the green and shade houses, planting and a few yards away the Dominican agricultural personal were sitting in their offices..

  24. Cyril Volney
    January 23, 2016

    Well said, DR. Darroux. A new structure will not fix that deathtrap that is PMH. It is time for an independent board of citizens to be appointed to manage the hospital. Successive ministers of Health have failed.

    Admin: The article was written by Dr. Sam Christian

    • Cyril Volney
      January 24, 2016

      Well said, Dr Sam Christian (apologies).

  25. Dominican woman
    January 23, 2016

    Thank God for your enthusiasm. Wish you luck in motivating us to love Dominica still.

  26. January 23, 2016

    I personally think that what ever is built by chinese is not good,when i heard that chinese were the one to built this hospital ,I told myself that dominica is at it’s last moment..I preferred keeping my opinion because i thought I could have been wrong,During hospital fire in china many lives are lost due to the way they build,dominica as a poor country better think twice before asking china to build any major structure…without good health we have no hope..

  27. Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
    January 23, 2016

    If what I saw in Afghanistan, is what the Chines have in mind to build in Dominica, we might as well retain our butcher shop, the PM Hospital. Because in the future all the muscles Darroux face will freeze, he will find himself in a situation where he can neither grin his teeth over the idea of something free from China.

    His tears will not flow either since his neurological system will ceases function! We are discovering that they refused to open the hospital because it has began to crumble even before it became occupied.

    The heaters are basically installed on a plastic flour, by the time the radiators are heated, the flour will melt. Another thing I discovered in the report is that the Chines left no building plans with the Afghans, no schematics diagrams of the installed equipments was given to the Afghans, hence, they do not know how the equipments operates.

    The Chines architects and engineers are the only ones who installs air conditions ensuring they ventilate inside of…

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 23, 2016

      The Chines architects and engineers are the only ones who installs air conditions ensuring they ventilate inside of a building and indeed a hospital! If one do some research they find inside if China they built hundreds of house, and had to abandon then before a single one was occupied! Good luck Dominica!

    • i
      January 25, 2016

      francisco u say a lot of uhmm stuff…. but this post i agree with what u said…after looking at the hospital the chinese built for Afghanistan i don’t think no correct thinking individual would want something like that built here so for the life of me i cant understand why someone of sound mind would dislike your comment

      • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
        January 25, 2016

        Well you to each his/her own!

        Once; I ask the question why would someone give me thumbs down for my simplest of comments; I was told “nothing is wrong with what I am conveying, however, we just give you thumbs down for the hell of it!”

        Hahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahahhaha!

        You see Dominica is place where traditionally some like to follow, and cannot lead. Very often someone say; I doh like mister nu; when ask why you do not like mister; the answer usually is; I doh know, but we doh like him! One person may have a problem with that mister, who might say I doh like minster, the rest of the town or village has no reason not to like mister; yet they doh like mister!

        So, I guess they simply give me thumbs down just for the hell it!

  28. Dan
    January 23, 2016

    Sam I am very happy that you have now taken the gloves off and realized that DA is your home and no one can stop that. Also it is clear that you respect authority but is not intimidated by it.

    We all share your hopes and dreams that Tomorrow is a day away and we will celebrate and dance in the streets of Roseau and elsewhere when we finally wake up from this deep slumber that our country finds itself in.

    Pray for God’s strength, mercy and guidance and we will do the same for our beloved island home. As an American religious leader use to say: Tough times dont last but tough people do: that we are Sam. Love you man.

    • Francisco Etienne-Dods Telemaque
      January 24, 2016

      I give you, thumbs up on that!

      Perhaps that was long over due, Sam is a professional who can survive without politics, especially if he has to kiss the Butt, of people in government who are far, and I mean very, very, very, low beneath him educationally.

      Sam can do more for Dominicans as a medical doctor, than any so called prime minister, or puppets who has to kiss the butt, of a Simi-illiterate so called prime minister for their survival!

    • January 24, 2016

      He will soon have more enemies for telling the truth..just wait and see …

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