Type I Health Centre in Dominica
A Type I Health Centre in Dominica is the most basic level of facility in the island’s district health system, serving as the first point of contact for many rural and village residents. These centres are strategically located in small communities where access to higher-level facilities is limited, providing essential health services that emphasise prevention, early treatment, and community health promotion.
Services and Functions
Type I Health Centres typically offer:
- Outpatient consultations for common illnesses and minor injuries
- Basic maternal and child health services, such as antenatal checks and infant wellness monitoring
- Routine immunisations and vaccination programs
- Health education and disease prevention campaigns
- First aid and stabilisation before referral to larger facilities
These centres generally operate with a nurse practitioner, community health nurse, or district nurse, rather than a resident physician. When cases exceed their capacity, patients are referred to Type II Health Centres, Type III Health Centres, or to district hospitals like the Marigot Hospital and the Reginald Fitzroy Armour Hospital in Portsmouth.
Role in the Health System
Type I facilities form the backbone of Dominica’s Primary Health Care (PHC) model. They connect directly with local residents and ensure that even remote villages can access core medical services. By addressing routine needs locally, they help reduce patient loads at larger centres and hospitals.
Distribution Across the Island
Almost every village or small cluster of settlements has access to a Type I Health Centre. Examples include clinics in Wesley, Giraudel, and Delices, each serving as a vital link in rural health delivery. These centres report to their respective district health authority, creating a referral chain that ultimately connects to the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital in Roseau.