Roseau, Dominica, November 12, 2021 (PAHO/WHO) – Recounting the global situation pertaining to Covid-19 outbreak in Dominica, Dr. Etienne affirmed that “although the situation is challenging, it is not hopeless”. “If our approach to defeating the virus is based on collective vision and individual responsibility, based on science and evidence, based on empathy and compassion, based on partnership and leadership, we will come out of this pandemic faster.”
The Director also declared that PAHO’s work in other priority health areas must be implemented in parallel to the work for the pandemic response. “We urge all countries in the region to ensure that essential health programs are addressed and invest in health to make health systems resilient in time of crisis,” the Director said.
Dr. Etienne, attending a special ceremony to hand over medical equipment and supplies for the covid-19 response in Dominica, reminded the health officials that, before the first Covid-19 case was detected in the region, that PAHO was working with development partners, donors, governments, and leaders to prepare for the outbreak, and quickly respond to save lives, protect health workers, and stop the spread of the virus in the Americas.
In March 2020, PAHO dispatched a team of experts to Dominica to advise national authorities on the organization of services for prevention, surveillance, public health measures and management of cases. “The first country in the Eastern Caribbean that had the capacity to carry out PCR testing was right here in Dominica,” said Dr. Etienne, “because previously we had installed equipment for the diagnosis of dengue, which could also be utilized for Covid-19 testing.”
In respect to the clinical response to the Covid-19 care in Dominica, the Director stated that “most recently, PAHO deployed for 2 weeks an emergency medical team and nurses from Spain, who along with PAHO personnel from the Barbados Office and provided training and development of protocols for the management of Covid-19 protocols.
In his response, the Prime Minister, Hon Roosevelt Skerrit acknowledged his appreciation to PAHO as a very reliable, committed partner of Dominica over an extended period and especially during challenging periods. With much pride he also saluted the leadership and dedication of Dr. Etienne.
“PAHO has been at the forefront of providing advice, guidance and the mobilization and coordination of resources,” said Prime Minister Skerrit. “When this pandemic became a serious national, international and global concern, the bigger countries hoarded resources and we needed to have someone who could coordinate on behalf of small states like Dominica.”
Prime Minister Skerrit lauded PAHO for stepping in and doing a remarkable job in not only mobilizing resources but ensuring that Member States have access to resources especially vaccines, to combat the virus in their respective countries.
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment was the recipient of several items made available by the Pan American Health Organization to address the Covid-19 response. PAHO’s Director, Dr. Carissa Etienne, was on hand to officially present the items to the Hon. Dr. Roosevelt Skerrit, Prime Minister of the Commonwealth of Dominica.
In his remarks, Hon. Kent Edwards, Acting Minister of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment noted that the items to be received are significant, vital, and will continue to make the performance of their duties much easier. “These have been challenging times, but the staff has been dedicated and resilient and much of this I attest can be tied to the fact that the resources needed for the performance of the duties are being provided to them, and so as ministry and country we are grateful to PAHO,” he said.
The following items were handed over during the ceremony:
- Two buses to support vaccination outreach, this is in addition to previously 2 minibuses, 1 car and 2 sixteen seaters, to support various aspects of the COVID response
- 7 portable computers (tablets) for Immunization Surveillance/ registry to facilitate data entry at community level
- Ice Packs and Vaccine Carriers for extension of the vaccination program
- 20 Nebulizers to strengthen Health System
- 20 Pulse Oximeters for patient management
- 7,500 personal protective equipment (PPE) for protection of Health Care workers
- Gene Xpert Machine, laptop and kits to strengthen laboratory capacity
- 30,000 PCR kits to continue screening in addition to 60,000 kits previously provided
