Roseau, Dominica: Prime Minister Dr Roosevelt Skerrit announced major plans and projects for the Health Sector for the 2022/23 fiscal year. He outlined that the government would enhance the Primary Health Care System.
He added that the current system served them well in the past and remained a model system for several decades. However, they are of the view that they must, as a people, redouble their efforts to tackle head-on the issue of chronic non-communicable diseases (NCDs) through the enhancement of the Primary Healthcare System.
“PAHO has gladly accepted our invitation to partner with us in this endeavour, and a roadmap has been prepared. Activities under this initiative will include technical support to foster an integrated approach between primary care and hospital care, “said the prime minister.
This will include Electronic Health Records integration, communication and coordination of health teams supported by an All-in-One Telehealth Platform with connectivity to the Dominica China Friendship Hospital for telehealth which will facilitate more timely care upon arrival at the Hospital.
PM Skerrit stressed that they would see an increase in health promotion and training of healthcare providers to support the prevention and management of NCDs consistent with their healthy lifestyle and wellness goals.
In an effort to advance and implement actions needed to combat NCDs in the country, the Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment will appoint a National Coordinator on NCDs, effective September 1, 2022.
PM Skerrit remarked, “It is our hope that this and other actions were taken by the Ministry will signal an urgency for all of us to take preventative measures to combat NCD’s. Additional improvements in primary health care will be facilitated by the recently commissioned Health and Wellness Centres.”
This year Government will commence construction of new Health and Wellness Centers in the City of Roseau, St Joseph and Grand Fond, while the Savanne Paille facility will be completed. They also expect to commence and complete designs for the new Reginald Armour Hospital in Portsmouth and for works to commence immediately thereafter.
These initiatives will ensure that a resilient Dominica is predicated upon healthy people and a sound, effective, health care system. With the opening of Dominica’s two new hospitals, health care clinics and facilities, new skills and competencies will be required.
In addition, new jobs will become available. There will be a need for additional lab technicians, scrub technicians, nurses and other health care workers as well as pharmacists and other ancillary and support personnel.
