Hospital Medical Director says non-communicable diseases are now a major public health concern

Medical professionals in Dominica took part in a one-day workshop last Thursday for the Caribbean Diabetic Retinopathy Screening and Treatment program.
The objective of the workshop was to enable Dominica to strengthen its diabetic retinopathy screening and treatment program within its public health system which will lead to a reduction in the incidence of blindness due to diabetic retinopathy.
Hospital Medical Director Dr Ruby Blanc represented the Minister of Health at the Opening Ceremony. Dr Blanc says non-communicable diseases have become a major public health concern for Dominica.

Dr Blanc says the country must respond aggressively to these diseases to avert a major impact on the economy.

Hospital Medical Director Dr Ruby Blanc

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Meantime CEO of the Caribbean Council for the Blind Avel Grant says Dominica has played a key role in advancing the screening of Diabetic Retinopathy.

He says diabetes is a profound and significant threat to human civilization.

CEO of the Caribbean Council for the Blind Avel Grant

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The workshop was hosted by the Ministry of Health and Environment, in collaboration with the Caribbean council for the Blind and the Queen Elizabeth Diamond Jubilee Trust.