Former Health Minister Dr. Kenneth Darroux has been appointed interim Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Hospital Authority, succeeding Nancy Francis of St. Lucia, who led the institution for the past two years.
“I want to say thanks to the work of the former CEO, my predecessor, Miss Francis, who is St Lucian by birth,” Dr. Darroux said, acknowledging her contribution in “setting the authority on a clear course to prosperity.” He added that accepting the role required serious consideration as it meant stepping “out of my comfort zone, semi-retirement sort of, in order to get back to managing the challenges that come in managing a national hospital.”
Dr. Darroux, who described the appointment as both an honour and a humbling responsibility, said his broad experience, “as a patient, a medical doctor, intern, minister of health, and deputy director of the board”, gave him a “360 view of the public health system and the hospital and what it entails.”
Since assuming office, he has met with various staff categories, from domestic workers to surgeons, to understand concerns and gather ideas for solutions. A full report outlining immediate priorities will be presented to the Minister of Health soon.
A key objective, Dr Darroux emphasised, will be restoring public trust in the Dominica China Friendship Hospital (DCFH). “It’s mind-boggling to me now after millions of dollars worth of investment in a new building… this is a thousand per cent better than what existed before,” he said, calling for renewed appreciation of the hospital’s expanded services, including six operating theatres and advanced radiology facilities.
He noted that staff morale remains central to improving hospital outcomes: “All of the fancy equipment, the x-rays, the MRI, if the staff who operate these are not motivated or happy, we get bad results.” The hospital board, he added, is in the process of hiring a public relations consultant to help share success stories and rebuild confidence.
Dr. Darroux has served Dominica in several capacities, including Minister of Health and Social Services, Minister of Foreign Affairs, and Parliamentary Representative for the Petite Savanne Constituency since 2005. His appointment signals a return to frontline healthcare leadership as the hospital enters a new phase of reform and modernisation.
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