Dominica signed a contract for expansion of Esprit-Murphy Health and Wellness Centre in Mahaut. The modernisation of the health centre will be a two-storey concrete infrastructure which will climate resilient and energy efficient. The building is designed to meet the needs of the growing community.
Reportedly, through this initiative, Dominica has joined the OECS neighbours in advancing the transformation of community health facilities to ensure that they can continue to operate effectively, even in the phase of natural disasters, disease outbreaks or other public health challenges.
Esprit-Murphy Health and Wellness Centre was established in 2020 and has played a critical role in improving access to primary healthcare facilities in Mahaut.
Considering this, Health Minister and the Parliamentary Representative for the Mahaut Constituency – Cassani Laville said that the project represents a major step in ensuring that the communities living here can receive a quality health care even during the difficult times.
Health Minister Cassani Laville further stated that the signing of the contract marked a pivotal moment for Dominica. In Mahaut community they agreed to this contract for the expansion of the necessary facilities. He mentioned that the project is of worth $2.34 million. It is funded by the World Bank and is supported by the OECS regional health project.
With this project, Dominica’s overall goal is to strengthen preparedness and response across the health system by ensuring that the facilities like this can continue to function even during the worst crisis or emergencies.
Furthermore, the expansion forms part of a National Health Transformation Agenda of Dominica Government, that aims at developing climate smart health facilities across Dominica to protect lives and strengthen health resilience.
Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit highlighted the remarkable transformation of Dominica in healthcare observed in the past two decades. He recalled that in 2005, the country had no ICU and lacked in essentials diagnostic tools such as CT and MRI scans and only had a second-hand dialysis machine.
Noting that, PM Skerrit said that Dominica has established multiple ICUs, a full-fledged dialysis centre and modern medical facilities at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital. The government now spends millions every year to support citizens who require advanced overseas treatment. These facilities mark its strong commitment to improve healthcare infrastructure, resilience and accessibility for all residents living in Dominica.