A new, fully equipped Accident and Emergency (A&E) Operating Theatre opened at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) on Thursday, November 6, 2025.
The facility, valued at EC$1.17M, was made possible through the generous support of The Maria Holder Memorial Trust, and forms part of the government’s ongoing effort to modernize and strengthen Dominica’s healthcare services.
Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, delivering remarks at the opening, described the initiative as “a proud moment for this government, our medical professionals and every Dominican who values the provision of quality healthcare.”
He commended the Trust for its “gift of compassion,” and expressed gratitude for its steadfast partnership with Dominica since 2015. The Maria Holder Memorial Trust previously supported national recovery and the construction of Early Childhood Facilities following Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria.
“This project continues that legacy of meaningful partnership and shared purpose,” the Prime Minister said.
The new operating theatre will allow doctors to perform urgent surgeries directly from the A&E Department, eliminating the need to transfer critical patients to the main operating theatre, located in another building.
Equipped with advanced anesthesia and monitoring systems, orthopedic extensions, portable X-ray and ultrasound machines and rapid diagnostic tools, the facility is expected to dramatically improve response times and patient outcomes.
“This means faster interventions, better outcomes and a higher likelihood of survival,” Prime Minister Skerrit said. “It also ensures that our national hospital can deliver world-class emergency care.”
He commended the Dominica Hospitals Authority, particularly the Engineering Services team, for their professionalism and technical expertise, and praised the Minister for Health, Hon. Cassanni Laville, for his leadership in driving improvements across the health sector.
Prime Minister Skerrit reaffirmed his government’s commitment to investing in modern health infrastructure, citing the new Marigot Hospital, 13 upgraded health and wellness centres and ongoing upgrades at the DCFH.
“Health is not a privilege; it is a right,” he said. “These efforts are backed by a clear philosophy: to make quality healthcare accessible, affordable and dependable for all Dominicans, regardless of income, location or circumstance.”
Minister for Health, Hon. Cassanni Laville, praised the initiative, noting that it aligns with government’s broader vision for a modern, efficient and patient-centered healthcare system.
“The commissioning of this new Emergency Operating Theatre will also improve efficiency in the main operating suite. Too often, emergency surgeries interrupt scheduled elective operations, resulting in delays and cancellations,” he noted.
“By localizing emergency interventions to the A&E, our surgical teams can now work in parallel, reducing patient wait times and ensuring that both emergency and elective cases receive timely care.”
