A new, state-of-the-art Accident and Emergency (A&E) Operating Theatre was officially commissioned at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) on Thursday, November 6, 2025, marking a major milestone in Dominica’s ongoing healthcare modernization drive.
Valued at EC$1.17 million, the facility was funded through the Maria Holder Memorial Trust, continuing a decade-long partnership between the Trust and the Government of Dominica. The Trust previously supported national recovery projects and the construction of early childhood facilities following Tropical Storm Erika and Hurricane Maria.
Prime Minister 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 what he called a “gift of compassion,” adding, “This project continues that legacy of meaningful partnership and shared purpose.”
The new operating theatre is equipped with advanced anesthesia and monitoring systems, orthopedic extensions, portable X-ray and ultrasound units, and rapid diagnostic tools. According to Prime Minister Skerrit, these enhancements will “mean faster interventions, better outcomes, and a higher likelihood of survival,” allowing urgent surgeries to be performed directly in the A&E Department rather than transferring patients to another building.
The Prime Minister also praised the Dominica Hospital Authority’s Engineering Services team for their technical expertise and thanked Minister for Health Cassanni Laville for his continued leadership. Reaffirming his government’s commitment, Skerrit stated, “Health is not a privilege; it is a right. Our goal is to make quality healthcare accessible, affordable, and dependable for all Dominicans.”
Health Minister Cassanni Laville welcomed the development as a crucial step toward greater efficiency, explaining that “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.”
The facility’s commissioning adds to a series of ongoing healthcare investments, including the new Marigot Hospital, 13 upgraded health and wellness centres, and continuing improvements at the DCFH. The government says these initiatives reflect its commitment to building a modern, patient-centred health system for the people of Dominica.
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