Dominica- Ministry of Health worried about public health safety

By Caribbean Medical News Staff
Since the passage of Storm Erika, the Ministry of Health has been quite distressed about a number of public health issues which usually stems from a disaster of that magnitude.
In an address, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Health, Helen Royer, explained that disasters of any nature can potentially produce problems of sanitation, nutrition, population displacement, mental health and infrastructural damage etc. She acknowledged that delivery of services in order to remedy such challenges was quite problematic for the Ministry.
“Because of the damage to the road network, we have been experiencing a few problems with the delivery of services to areas such as Petite Savanne and Delices,” said Royer. “In our preliminary response to the disaster, we were able to provide services via airlift. Now we have to resort to using the Delices gorge in the absence of the helicopters.
She added, “We have put a plan in place. We have a registered nurse midwife and community health aide stationed in Delices. We are also very grateful for the Cuban health professionals; we were able to place a Cuban doctor and nurse in this area.”
She informed that the Ministry has been fortunate as far as having up to date medical supply stock.
In concluding, she added: “We have been able to receive most of the supplies from our first list through the assistance of the Pan American Health Organisation. Just yesterday, we received some more supplies. We get supplies on a daily basis.”