Prime Minister Skerrit praises ‘heroism’ of healthcare staff in Dominica

Last updated: September 29, 2017 at 13:29 pm

The prime minister of Dominica has thanked healthcare workers in Dominica “profoundly and profusely” for their work in the aftermath of Hurricane Maria.

Speaking at a news briefing, Roosevelt Skerrit said that all levels of staff worked together to look after people on the island.

“You could not have told the difference between the doctor and the maintenance staff, and the matron and the maintenance staff,” he said.

“They were all at the service of the people, and the service of our country at a difficult time.

“I think the future of the health services and the future of of court will certainly be well-severed by that kind of attitude, that kind of commitment, and that demonstration of the true Dominican spotter, especially at this time.”

Health services were hit hard when category five Maria made a direct hit on the island on the evening on 18 September.

Over 90% of the buildings in the country were damaged or destroyed, access to food and water almost cut off, and at least 27 people killed.

Despite the carnage, Skerrit said on Tuesday that Dominica had made “tremendous, tremendous strides with health services" one week since the disaster, singling out help from the French government.

Today he said that the difference from the night of the storm and today was “nothing short of heroic”, adding that it was “heroism coming out of real passion and dedication.”

[caption id="attachment_6202" align="alignright" width="300"] Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.[/caption]

“There are doctors that have had to walk miles to get to the PMH (Princess Margaret Hospital). Nurses who have had to walk miles over trees and fallen poles, and electrical wires and mudslides, landslides, leaving their homes unattended, making their way to the hospitals and the health clinics t provide care for people.

“On behalf of the people of Dominica I really want to thank you profoundly and profusely for your dedication to our country and out people.”

Staff worked as storm raged

The Pan American Health Organization and World Health Organization were cited by the prime minister as members of the international health community who had been in Dominica “literarily since day one”. They have provided assistance, guidance and access to much-needed resources.

Dr David Johnson, Dominica’s chief medical officer, joined the Skerrit in expressing his “profound gratitude” to every level of healthcare workers.

“[They] never stopped working, taking care of patients,” he said.

“During the actually passage of Hurricane Maria, there were staff when roofs were flying off from some sectors of the hospital. There were staff actually moving patients from one area to the other. Some of those staffs [sic] have never stopped working from Sunday night to today.

[caption id="attachment_6201" align="alignright" width="299"] Dr David Johnson, chief medical officer in Dominica.[/caption]

“Through their heroic efforts, not a single patient who was at the Princess Margaret Hospital at the time of the passage of Hurricane Maria lost their lives.”

As far as he knows, no healthcare provider died in the storm, Johnson added.

Heading back to normalcy

Dr Johnson announced that the country's main hospital, Princess Margaret, is functioning despite being "severely impacted" by Hurricane Maria.

Only two people who were brought in with injuries related to the passage of Hurricane Maria have died.

He added that all major healthcare centres are now operating as usual – accept for Grand Bay's, which is inaccessible by road.

PMH has seen 500 patients through its accident and emergency department since the night of 18 September, despite severe damage.

Giving an update, the hospital's medical director Dr Ruby Blanc, said: "The hospital did receive a major hit during the hurricane. There are a number of places that were damaged and destroyed."

Among the news she shared is that life-saving surgeries are going ahead but electives are not, with no date given as to when they will resume. Dialysis services are up and running, with only one of the 11 machines not working.

The oxygen plant suffered damage and is currently non-functional, but Blanc said that the hospital is working with their international partners to get oxygen brought in to the country.

Delivery rooms are functional, and babies have been delivered since Hurricane Maria struck.

Other updates

• "One can drive in almost every street in the city now," Skerrit said. Debris lines the side of the road but this will be cleared over the next few days and weeks, he added.
• Water is being trucked across the island to reach isolated communities.
• Portsmouth is now back in communication with the outside world, with calls, texts and data messages now possible from the area.
• A paid work scheme will be launched shortly, encouraging people to come out "rebuilding and clearing".