[Roseau, July 27, 2023] – Nearly every Dominican instinctively knows that this administration consistently fails to translate budgetary promises into outcomes that improve their daily lives. The severity of the problem is evident in the dramatic failings of the three areas that the government claims to prioritize and has allocated significant portions of the national budget.
Healthcare
Despite claims that a substantial share of the budget is allocated to healthcare, the outcomes are appalling. This implies monies are either being spent on the wrong activities or being squandered through ineptness or worse. The following observations support this:
1. Confidence in the national hospital is at an all-time low. Many Dominicans fear for their lives when entering the hospital due to attitudes of indifference, incidents of negligence, lack of accountability systems, inadequate basic supplies, and numerous other maladies. In fact, the leadership appears to agree with this conclusion, as they choose to seek medical care far away from the national hospital for themselves and their families.
2. The critical state of Dominica’s healthcare system can be objectively demonstrated by looking at infant mortality rates. Infant mortality rates are widely regarded as a leading indicator of the effectiveness and accessibility of healthcare services in a country. Unfortunately, the infant mortality rate in Dominica has been steadily rising and has now reached its worst point in over fifty years. Despite this alarming development, the budget makes no mention of any program or funding to address this issue. Similarly, cancer rates are sharply increasing, yet the budget fails to include any programs to tackle this rising health crisis.
3. While, fortunately, objective data sheds light on the issue of infant mortality, data on many other health performance metrics such as mortality rates, medical accident rates, timely care rates, and patient service ratings are simply lacking. Despite this lack of data, and no mention in the budget of any program to close this gap, the government makes the ridiculous boast that our healthcare system is comparable to that of many developed nations. Such a claim without outcome-based evidence is being widely received with disbelief and outrage.
Education
Likewise, education is touted as a priority in the budget. But as in healthcare, the administration is failing to translate funding into results as the following examples make clear:
1. The government claims to be a champion of education by showcasing spending on inputs and construction, rather than the more critical aspect of education – creating effective human capital. However, education is about nurturing well-trained, productive, and socially responsible citizens, not merely increasing the number of students in schools or building more school structures.
2. The budget address emphasizes achieving universal schooling, yet it lacks any concrete ideas or allocations for programs that ensure students entering high school are adequately prepared. Where are the budget allocations for testing students for learning disabilities? Where are the plans and funding for special education classes or remedial summer school programs? The administration talks about increased funding for teacher training but fails to realize that the biggest obstacle for teachers is having students who are severely underprepared for high school.
3. The government congratulates itself on providing university scholarships, but these scholarships lack strategic planning for the future or proactive training of the island’s human resources to meet the country’s needs. Moreover, the administration’s practice of awarding scholarships based on political affiliation leaves much of the island’s best human capital sidelined, hindering national progress and development.
National Security & Justice
Finally, the government brags that it is spending a top allocation on security and safety, but as shown below, the outcomes once again show the government’s dysfunctions in delivering.
1. An almost unchecked surge in violent crime and escalating lawlessness grips our once-serene island state. Streets that once exuded tranquility now echo with fear and uncertainty. Scarcely a week passes without the report of a murder or other violent assault. These incidents shatter lives, tear families apart and leave our communities gripped by fear and anxiety.
2. Equally concerning is the alarming rise in traffic accidents, which often reflect failures in law enforcement, road safety, and lack of concern for other citizens. But the budget makes no mention of programs or funding to address this growing danger.
3. Our judicial system is at the point of failure. The outrageous state of a nation’s judicial system, crippled by chronic underfunding and gross neglect from the government, results in a glaring erosion of justice and the rights of Dominican citizens. By failing to allocate sufficient resources to its judiciary, this government undermines the very foundation of a fair and equitable Dominican society. Our courtrooms are overwhelmed with backlogs of cases, leading to excruciatingly long delays and denials of justice for victims and defendants alike. Legal professionals are burdened by heavy caseloads, compromising their ability to thoroughly investigate and present cases. Vital technological advancements and training for judicial staff are overlooked, perpetuating archaic processes that hinder efficient administration of justice. Just in the last few weeks, several murder suspects were freed due to a breakdown in the groaning system.
The consequences of such an ineffective judicial system foster lawlessness, erode public trust, and perpetuate a Dominican society where the powerful can act with impunity while the vulnerable suffer the consequences. These three examined sectors were the government’s top priorities and received most of the recurring budget. Yet it is evident that these sectors are simply not delivering for the Dominican people. It is unlikely, therefore, that the other sectors will fare any better. However, there is no need for further complex economic and financial analyses to comprehend this. That our society and economy are not working is a reality painfully ingrained within the psyche of all of us.
DFP is running DLP today. I was a young freedom movement (YFM) guy with most of these guys in Government today.
” Today when we meet , this is how we greet , all I do is smile and say hello, hypocrite.” big-up to Spider.
Most of them don’t even know what they are.
Dear DFP, I think you (we) still have what it takes to inspire the Dominican people that we are still a party who can take Dominica to the next level. I mean we have precedence on our side and we just have to remind people of the successes of the once great DFP. There was no party prosecution of people, no corruption in Govt,
Jobs were flowing, the health system was the best in the region, the education system was good, wages and salaries were the best in the area. So we have a good history. Lets start beating the drums all over Dominica.
I think the Dominican people are looking for some one or a group to step up and take the lead. Lets do it.!
In the early 1980’s DLP had one person in parliament , look at them today, a total disaster to Dominica.
@Massacre, Having said all that monkey poo, are you saying things were better with Freedom party than it is today?? l am not running down (DFP) I must say that you been drinking something very strong at the Lab in Mahaut also don’t forget what Edison, hooligans did to
Dame Mary Eugenia Charles, DBE
It is a fact,DFP has never supported a national budget since 2005.And like their brother UWP,they call a handful of habitual losers the PEOPLE.They had a hungry for political power tall rasta for rice who could not get a job as leader.As soon as the Rasta got a job he left DFP.Johnson Boston,the longest serving political general secretary in the Caribbean,cannot convince 10 people in the Mahaut constituency to vote either DFP or UWP.But they sit on their but and want to tell Dominicans about budget.
I dear Freedom party, nor Workers party to come out with a better budget than what Dr. Mac, deliver to us last week if any of them were in Office, come on you lots show your Oats and not weak stupid talking.
You must be the spared they using in Buckingham Palace on their bread for you not to have been aware to the dismal health situation in Da. it is sad that there are people supporting that level of incompetence.
People like you are the the dismal health situation in Dominica, guys like you do not have any hope in life apart from being a vagabond in Roseau, just as UWP clowns walking dead good for nothing just because you clowns are being driven by a bunch of malicious idiots.
Freedom Party continue to talk from the grave. Pity they can’t influence the dead to vote for them.
What is really your point? Your comment is just more bovine scatology (BS).
I definitely agree with everything the DFP said. But they forgot to ask one further question: if the allocated budgetary funds do not reach these and other key areas, where do they actually end up?? We miserably fail to hold Skerrit to account and scrutinise every dollar he spends. Equally the press and media, whatever there is left of it, fail the citizens of Dominica miserably.
Dominicans should be an evidence driven group of people. Words should match actions. This maladministration’s words are always incongruous to its actions.
Talk doesn’t cook rice.
A budget of lies that finally says to Dominicans “Game over, all hope is gone “.