The Looming Health Care Crisis in Dominica
By
Thomson Fontaine, PhD
Political Leader UWP
Today, we are faced with a growing health care crisis that needs immediate attention by this government and the people of Dominica. When it comes to health care, it should never be viewed as strictly a political issue or impacting only one group in society. We can all agree that anyone of us at any time may be in need of quality health care.
My focus on the health issue is borne out of my deep personal interest and desire in ensuring the very best for our people. Further, I draw from the moral strength of thousands of my fellow Dominicans, who like me, simply wish and pray for a vibrant and healthy Dominican society.
The recent suspension of elective surgeries at the China Friendship Hospital is just the latest in an ongoing an increasingly alarming list of ailments plaguing our health care system. Problems range from demoralized staff, to political meddling in the affairs of the hospital, including in the hiring of its Board, to lack of basic supplies, failure to retain professional staff, to an overcrowded mental health facility, and an overall compromised health care system.
Local doctors based on their political leanings are denied access to using the premier hospital to conduct surgeries. Indeed, most of us would have known or may have heard of at least one person who went to the hospital expecting to return but who never did. This spate of untimely deaths, which have seemingly spared no one including new born babies and young people, is an ongoing problem made worse by the unavailability of basic access to drugs including pain killers, and other much needed medical supplies.
It is a well-known fact that when senior government members fall ill they are promptly flown overseas for treatment. But what about the thousands of Dominicans who struggle on a daily basis to make ends meet and who are unable to travel overseas and who cannot afford costly medication. Citizens routinely shy away from seeking medical treatment even for preventative purposes fearful of not been in a position to meet that cost. A way must be found to divert resources from wasteful government spending to address these health concerns.
It is important that we be reminded that health is a fundamental human right that is enshrined in international human rights instruments. Every human being has the right to the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health. Therefore, when a government neglects the health care of its citizens by a lack of funding, quality or personnel it creates an avoidable humanitarian crisis in its own country.
We all know the wise saying that ‘your health is your wealth’ and the state of our current healthcare system is further contributing to the abject poverty of our fellow Dominicans. Without a good functioning health care system the very future development of our country is at stake. A poor healthcare system says that those who are responsible are decimating the dignity of the human person. Without health we are simply unable to flourish physically, mentally or spiritually.
I wish to assure the Dominican public that when we are entrusted with governing this country, the health care and wellbeing of our citizens will be among our highest priorities. In the meantime, I wish to suggest to this government some concrete steps that can be taken to immediately avert this looming health crises.
1. That the government appoint a special committee to review the current state of health care on the island and make recommendations to improve on what currently exists.
2. Government to immediately strengthen, source and avail the hospital system of the much-needed drugs and supplies.
3. Immediately replace the political appointees on the Hospital Board with true professionals who understand the health sector and who can contribute in a meaningful and unbiased way to its improvement.
4. Reach out and systematically engage the scores of Dominican medical personnel living outside of Dominica who have shown an interest in contributing to the improvement of the country’s health system.
At the end of the day the health of a nation should never be jeopardized. A healthy and well cared for population is critical in a country’s onward development. Now more than ever urgent action is required in order to repair and restore our national health system.