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Elective surgery at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) has been suspended until further notice due to the lack of medical supplies. A memo from the hospital’s Medical Director, Dr Ruby Blanc, dated January 11, was circulated to many doctors who perform surgery at the facility.<\/p>\n
“I regret to inform you that due to diminished supplies of pethidine as well as spiral needles, elective surgery list will have to be temporarily suspended effective Monday, January 15, 2024,” the memo reads.<\/p>\n
According to drugs.com, pethidine is “used for the relief of moderate to severe pain for which alternative treatments are inadequate.”<\/p>\n
Spiral needles are specialized needles used in surgical procedures. In her letter to the doctors, Dr Blanc stated that minor surgical cases and cases involving the lower limbs “may be able to be accommodated” however, “any elective surgeries being requested must therefore be discussed prior to submitting names, with Dr Beck Jno Baptiste OIC, Anesthesia.”<\/p>\n
She wrote that the doctors will be informed as the situation is rectified.<\/p>\n
“Be assured that significant efforts are being made to remedy the situation,” she wrote.<\/p>\n
So, what is an elective surgery?<\/p>\n
\u201cElective surgeries are important procedures that you can schedule in advance,\u201d Alejandro Sanz, MD, a surgeon at OSF HealthCare Saint Anthony\u2019s Health Center in Alton, Illinois, explains on the website, osfhealthcare.org. \u201cElective surgeries are different from an urgent or emergency surgery, where the patient has an immediate, possibly life-threatening issue which requires medical attention.\u201d<\/p>\n
He said that elective surgeries can include cosmetic procedures like removing a mole or a wart but they can also include more serious conditions like hernia surgery; removing kidney stones or an appendix; and hip replacements.<\/p>\n
\u201cElective surgeries are vital to a patient\u2019s health and well-being,\u201d Dr. Sanz stated on the website. \u201cBreast cancer surgery like a mastectomy is critical to address, even though it might not qualify as an emergency procedure needing to be done that same day.\u201d<\/p>\n
He went on to say that elective surgeries allow doctors to work with patients to improve their overall health.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the benefits of elective surgeries is the days or weeks patients use to improve their health before their procedure,\u201d Dr. Sanz explained. \u201cI tell patients that a surgery can be a physically demanding experience, so the best time for patients to improve their overall health is before an elective procedure.\u201d<\/p>\n
Meanwhile, many Dominicans have taken to social media to decry what they say is the poor state of Dominica’s health care system.<\/p>\n
“Oh my God. We are finish in this place”, one person wrote on Facebook.<\/p>\n
“This is serious, especially with this carnival season. Discouraging to visitors too. Why wait when supplies are depleted to take action?” another wrote.<\/p>\n
Some blame hospital administrators for the matter.<\/p>\n
“So you mean to tell me in a hospital these so called leaders and administrators allow supplies to finish before replenishing and you all write these letters with so much pride,” one person wrote.<\/p>\n
“If a nation is not healthy there is no productivity. This place sickens me.”<\/p>\n
Others blame the entire situation on the prime minister and the minister of health.<\/p>\n
“How can you as a PM or the Minister responsible for Health be proud of what is going on in this country”,\u00a0 one wrote.<\/p>\n
“It’s either you DON’T CARE or you should be really ASHAMED. Cause it’s from Bad to Worst. And in Dominica alone that happens. Where’s the supposed plan that was put in place for our healthcare system.”<\/p>\n
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