DLP regime leaderRoosevelt Skerrit says he participated in a meeting with leaders of countries which operate the Citizenship by Investment Program (CBI) and senior officials of the United States Treasury Department over the weekend. He claimed that he is grateful for and welcomes the support of the US Government in efforts to strengthen and protect the Caribbean's CBI Programs.
 
He claims it was a fruitful and useful engagement which puts Dominica in a good place to continue to address all of the US concerns surrounding the CBI program, with a view to strengthening and sustaining the respective programs.
 
Mr Skerrit says he touted the importance of the CBI programmes to small island economies like Dominica’s, but he will do what needs to be done to maintain the integrity of Dominica's CBI program to ensure its survival.

DLP Regime leader, Roosevelt Skerrit 

Former Portsmouth MP and former Trade Minister Ian Douglas will become the next Ambassador to the republic of Cuba, as soon as Ambassador Matthew Walter's tenure is over. That's according to Minister for Foreign Affairs Vince Henderson. He listed a few other appointments that are to be made overseas. 

​Minister for Foreign Affairs, Vince Henderson.

​Health Minister Cassani Laville says a World Bank Mission will this week assist the government to advance its emergency management initiatives to boost capacity within Dominica's healthcare system. He said throughout the process Dominica has been privileged to receive significant support from the World Bank and Caribbean Public Health Agency (CARPHA).A two-day workshop opened at the State House Conference Center on Monday.

Health Minister, Cassani Laville.

​Severin McKenzie suggests that Dominicans fully engage in Sir Denis Byron's Electoral reform reports, as an opportunity for another such event may not arise before the second 45-year period after independence. The Dominica Business Forum, according to McKenzie, architect and deputy chairman of NJAM, was the sole organization to support Sir Denis Byron's appointment in 2020, not because they believed DLP Regime leader Roosevelt Skerrit had acted properly, but rather because he had taken action. He contends that meeting with the political parties alone is insufficient for consultations and conclusions, and DBF & NJAM had hoped Sir Byron would have had more extensive consultations with civil society organizations and groups.

He continued by mentioning how Sir Byron communicated with the Dominican populace in a number of public addresses, but that only 850 of the country's more than 74,000 registered voters took part in an online study that he had organized. McKenzie noted that Sir Byron’s report touched on a variety of topics, but because there has only been one chance in 44 years to review the electoral laws, many of the people present now won't be around when the next change occurs.

Severin McKenzie, architect & deputy chairman of NJAM.

The Dominica Business Forum, according to Severin McKenzie, architect and deputy chairman of NJAM, was the sole organization to support Sir Denis Byron's appointment in 2020, not because they believed DLP Regime leader Roosevelt Skerrit had acted properly, but rather because he had taken action. He contends that meeting with the political parties alone is insufficient for consultations and conclusions, and DBF & NJAM had hoped Sir Byron would have had more extensive consultations.

He continued by mentioning how Sir Byron communicated with the Dominican populace in a number of public addresses, but that only 850 of the country's more than 74,000 registered voters took part in an online study that he had organized. McKenzie noted that Sir Byron’s report touched on a variety of topics, but because there has only been one chance in 44 years to review the electoral laws, many of the people present now won't be around when the next change occurs.

Severin McKenzie, an architect and deputy chairman of NJAM.

The most crucial screening method for detecting cervical cancer is the pap smear, according to Ob-Gyn doctor Dr. Shane McIntyre. The most crucial thing to keep in mind is to get checked often, regardless of whether you have symptoms and signs of cervical cancer. Routine screening has been demonstrated to prevent cervical cancer and save lives. The likelihood of successfully treating cancer and pre-cancers increases with early identification. Avoiding delays in diagnosis can also be accomplished by being aware of any cervical cancer signs and symptoms.

He emphasizes that these cells will be further investigated and points out that irregular cells do not always indicate cervical cancer. Finding precancerous cervical cell alterations during screening for cervical cancer will allow for early therapy to stop the cancer from spreading. During cervical screenings, cancer can occasionally be discovered. Early-stage cervical cancer is typically easier to treat.

Ob-Gyn doctor, Dr. Shane McIntyre.

Given the massive impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on individuals and the global economy, governments should urgently adjust their health systems to better respond to future shocks, according to a report released by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD). Significant investment in the health workforce is required, as is increasing spending on preventative and digital infrastructure.
 
According to the research, investing in Health System Resilience, even the world's most advanced health systems were not resilient to the COVID-19 pandemic. Life expectancy in 75 percent of OECD countries, it added, declined by 2020. However, By April 2022, residents in long-term care facilities accounted for approximately 34% of all COVID-19 deaths. The report highlights three significant vulnerabilities: health-care systems were underprepared, understaffed, and underinvested.
 
In 2019, 35 percent of the population in OECD countries had a long-term sickness or health issue. Chronic disease prevalence reduces population resilience and increases COVID-19 mortality. Notwithstanding this, the OECD health systems spend less than 3% of total health expenditure on prevention.
 
According to the report, people are critical to making systems robust. The lack of sufficient healthcare staff had a greater impact on the quality of care during the first year of the epidemic than, say, the quantity of hospital beds. Lower mortality rates were connected with more staff in health and social care.

​When asked about the benefits the Dominican people have experienced since the government decided to purchase the majority of DOMLEC's shares last year, DLP regime leader Roosevelt Skerrit said that the main benefit is national security. He continued by saying that he is firmly convinced that the production of electricity and the provision of water services in a country should be controlled by the state. Mr Skerrit stated that the government is in a better position to interact with DOMLEC with respect to the proposed development of geothermal energy.

Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.

Now that Sir Dennis Byron has delivered his report and draft legislation, the advancement of the electoral reform process in the Commonwealth of Dominica is dependent on the Electoral Commission and, in particular, the chairman of the commission, who has the deciding vote to move the process forward.
 
The people of Dominica must now raise their voices and demand that the Electoral Commission immediately launch a huge electoral reform education campaign to educate the people on the contents of Byron’sReport & develop laws to allow public involvement, as a first step towards the electoral reform education campaign.
 
All Dominica media outlets are encouraged to publicize the event on their platforms. The chairman and members of the Electoral Commission have been invited, and an open invitation has been given to all parliamentarians, political parties, the private sector, trade unions, and other civil societyorganizations.
 
The ERC said it recognizes the significant role of the Electoral Commission in delivering the long awaited electoral reform to the Commonwealth of Dominica and is prepared to collaborate with the commission, in whatever way possible of achieving that goal, and that the time has come for the Electoral Commission to deliver on its constitutional responsibility by delivering the electoral reforms which must be followed by Free and Fair general elections within one year…… 

​Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr Simone Mathieu observes that the concern around the question, "Are we losing our authenticity?", comes up regularly as we discuss Carnival 2023. She questions whether we are losing our own Dominican carnival culture, which is what we can genuinely promote as unique and different, by following Trinidad's example.

Dr. Mathieu continues by saying that in order to develop a national policy around culture and the investments and income it generates, we must develop our own agenda and action plan. She emphasizes the need to include everyone who is so passionate about changing this society from what it formerly was.

Associate Professor of Psychology, Dr Simone Mathieu.