Dominica signs MOU with World Paediatric Project

The government of Dominica signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with World Paediatric Project (WPP) on Saturday. Minister of health, wellness and new health investment Dr Irving McIntyre signed the MOU at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital.

The country also pledged to contribute EC $83,970 to the programme yearly.

Health Minister Dr Irving McIntyre stated that WPP has been functioning in the OECS over the last 20 years, and in Dominica from 2008, the signing of the agreement formalized the partnership and commitment.

He said that since 2008, over 311 children from Dominica had been benefitted from the programme, and it has amounted to US 30,965,000.

WPP is a US charitable/non-profit organization that provides Pediatric Surgical Services to less fortunate children from developing countries. The Surgical Services include General, Orthopedic, Urology, Ophthalmology, Reconstructive plastic surgery, Neurosurgery and Cardiac surgery, with some of the more complex procedures being performed at US Hospitals.

The WPP team held the first-ever Scoliosis Diagnostic Clinic for 24 Dominican children at Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH). Dr McIntyre said arrangements would be made at a later date for the cases requiring surgery.

The Team of WPP doctors were also given a tour of the state of the art theatres at the DCFH.

"This strengthened our initiative for having procedures done in Dominica for OECS cases by WPP Surgeons with the assistance of our local surgeons at the DCFH. These programmes thus allows for Capacity Building within our Health Care System." stated the Minister of health, Dr Irving McIntyre.

Furthermore, the health minister also displayed his gratitude to the WPP team including, Dr Chester Sharps, Mr Silkman and Ms Lauren McIntosh. Deepest thanks also to Mrs Leslie Ann Waldron Martin, our local WPP representative, Dr James (CEO at DCFH ), Dr Blanc (HMD at DCFH), Dr Williams (Head of Pediatrics DCFH), Dr George (Orthopedic Surgeon) and all the staff at DCFH who assisted in conducting a very successful first-ever Diagnostic Scoliosis Clinic in Dominica.

He said the government of Dominica remains committed, will explore every opportunity and continue its efforts in improving health care for the people of the country.