National Hospital of Dominica
The National Hospital of Dominica is the island’s central referral hospital, officially known today as the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH). Located in Roseau, the capital city, it is the country’s highest-level medical facility, serving as the core of the public health system. It provides tertiary care, advanced diagnostics, and specialist services for Dominicans as well as for patients referred from district hospitals and health centres.
Historical Development of Dominica’s National Hospital
The hospital was originally established in the early 20th century as the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) during British colonial rule. For decades, PMH was the main public hospital, handling everything from emergency care to specialist medicine.
In the 2010s, with growing demand for modern infrastructure and after significant damage from natural disasters, Dominica entered into a partnership with the People’s Republic of China to build a new state-of-the-art facility. This led to the phased development of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital, which officially replaced the PMH. The hospital’s construction began around 2016, and it was inaugurated in stages between 2019 and 2021.
Role in the Health System
The National Hospital is the top tier in Dominica’s referral chain. Patients are directed here when their conditions cannot be managed at:
- Type I, Type II, or Type III health centres
- District hospitals such as the Reginald Fitzroy Armour Hospital in Portsmouth or the Marigot Hospital
It offers a wide range of specialist and advanced services, including:
- Accident & Emergency (A&E) and trauma care
- Intensive Care Unit (ICU) and High Dependency Unit (HDU)
- Surgical theatres for general and specialist operations
- Maternity, neonatal, and pediatric wards
- Internal medicine, cardiology, and oncology services
- Radiology, CT scanning, ultrasound, and laboratory services
- Outpatient specialist clinics and rehabilitation services
Importance and Partnerships
The hospital is a hub not only for treatment but also for training and collaboration. It works closely with:
- Cuban medical brigades, who provide doctors and specialists in key areas
- The Dominica Nurses Association, supporting workforce development
- Regional health initiatives through the OECS Pharmaceutical Procurement Service
- International partners, including China’s medical cooperation program
The facility also plays a vital role in national disaster preparedness, having served as a frontline institution during Hurricane Maria (2017) and more recently in COVID-19 pandemic response.
Challenges and Future Plans
While the National Hospital has significantly improved infrastructure and services, challenges remain:
- Ensuring adequate numbers of medical specialists and nurses
- Retaining staff amid regional and international migration
- Maintaining modern diagnostic and surgical equipment
- Expanding bed capacity to match growing demand
Future plans emphasize expanding specialized care (such as oncology and dialysis), strengthening telemedicine, and further integrating the hospital into Dominica’s National Resilience Development Strategy 2030.