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Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015

C ommo nwe a l t h memb e r c o u n t r i e s Health care is overseen by the Ministry of Health, the mission of which is to promote the well-being of all citizens of Dominica through the provision of preventive, curative and rehabilitative health care, compatible with acceptable standards of human dignity at a cost that is affordable and sustainable. The health system in the country is made up of a mix of public and private health providers, but is dominated by public provision of services. Primary care services in the country are of a high quality, however, secondary care is limited and tertiary care is unavailable on the islands and requires travelling to off-island facilities – as a result, such care is only available to some income groups. USAID have been working with Dominica to assess the burden of disease in the country as the absence of tertiary care may pose a significant risk to the health of citizens of Dominica. Dominica was not an original signatory to the International Covenant on Economic, Social and Cultural Rights, but acceded to it in 1993 and has written the covenant into law. It includes ‘the right of everyone to the enjoyment of the highest attainable standard of physical and mental health’. The covenant commits signees to providing healthy and hygienic environmental conditions, controlling epidemic diseases, improving child health and facilitating access to health services without discrimination. Care of the elderly: Overall, public pension spending is equivalent to four per cent of the country’s total economic output (2006). Care of the elderly in Dominica is overseen by the Ministry of Social Services, Family and Gender Affairs, and is defined as ‘the fulfilment of the special needs and requirements that are unique to senior citizens’. The Ministry is responsible for providing services such as assisted living, adult day care, home-based care and institutional care. In 2015 there were six government-administered residential homes providing care for the elderly: the Dominica Infirmary, Grotto Home, Portsmouth Home for the Aged, Mount Carmel Retirement Home, Clara’s Home and Mahaut Senior Citizen home. Additionally, the government funds the Yes We Care programme, which provides home-based care for the elderly. The elderly care body HelpAge International is also present in Dominica through the country-specific programme REACH, a non-profit organisation that is dedicated to relieving the suffering of the elderly. Further information Ministry of Health: www.dominica.gov.dm Commonwealth Health Online: www.commonwealthhealth.org/health/americas/dominica 170 Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015


Commonwealth Health Partnerships 2015
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