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Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) Impact on Dominica

Healthcare patient hospital bed

The Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) has been a key partner in strengthening Dominica’s healthcare system for several decades. Its collaboration with Dominica’s Ministry of Health has focused on disease prevention, maternal and child health, primary healthcare improvements, and disaster response. PAHO has played an instrumental role in supporting Dominica’s resilience to health challenges from the 1990s to the present day, ensuring that the country’s healthcare system is equipped to meet evolving public health needs.

PAHO’s Relationship With Dominica

PAHO’s relationship with Dominica can be traced back to the mid-20th century, with early efforts to improve primary healthcare and infectious disease management. By the 1990s, PAHO had intensified its focus on technical cooperation and special health initiatives:

  • 1990-1991: PAHO allocated part of its budget surplus to special cooperation projects with Dominica, strengthening local healthcare systems.
  • 1995: A three-year nutritional program was launched to improve food security and combat malnutrition across the island.
  • Late 1990s: Recognizing the growing burden of non-communicable diseases (NCDs), PAHO introduced preventative healthcare strategies focused on hypertension, diabetes, and heart disease.

Primary Healthcare and Community Engagement

Throughout the early 2000s, PAHO played a significant role in enhancing Dominica’s primary healthcare infrastructure. The organization helped train community health workers, ensuring that even the most remote villages had access to essential medical services.

By 2022, Dominica had achieved:

  • 100% of births are attended by skilled health personnel, ensuring safe deliveries for mothers and infants.
  • A 38.9% reduction in infant mortality, decreasing from 17.5 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2000 to 10.7 in 2022.

In May 2022, PAHO introduced HEARTS in the Americas, a program aimed at improving cardiovascular health through standardized treatment protocols and specialized healthcare training.

Maternal and Perinatal Health Initiatives

In May 2024, PAHO launched an audit of Dominica’s Maternal and Perinatal Death Surveillance and Response (MPDSR) system. This initiative, led by Dr. Gillian Birchwood and Dr. Lucilla Charles, aimed to:

  • Identify and address causes of maternal and neonatal mortality.
  • Improve health policies and emergency response strategies.
  • Strengthen maternity care units across Dominica.

The initiative aligns with Dominica’s long-term goal of enhancing maternal and child health outcomes.

Climate Resilience and Disaster Response

Dominica has faced numerous climate-related disasters, including Hurricane Maria in 2017, which devastated health infrastructure. PAHO has been at the forefront of rebuilding and climate-proofing health facilities, ensuring long-term resilience.

In 2020, PAHO released Dominica’s Health and Climate Change Country Profile, which:

  • Assessed the impact of climate change on Dominica’s healthcare system.
  • Provided a framework for integrating climate resilience into health policies.
  • Established guidelines for building climate-resistant health infrastructure.

PAHO’s support continues to be essential in helping Dominica adapt its healthcare system to climate change and natural disasters.

Disease Elimination and NCD Care

In October 2024, PAHO partnered with the Organization of Eastern Caribbean States (OECS) to launch:

  • A regional disease elimination initiative focusing on infectious disease prevention and control.
  • An NCD care program improves early diagnosis and treatment access for diseases like diabetes and hypertension.

These efforts aim to strengthen Dominica’s healthcare system while promoting regional health security.

Immunization and Public Health Achievements

Over the past decades, PAHO has worked closely with Dominica to:

  • Strengthen routine immunization programs to combat measles, rubella, and polio.
  • Support COVID-19 vaccination efforts, ensuring equitable access to vaccines.
  • Launch targeted public health campaigns to promote preventative healthcare practices.

During the 20th Vaccination Week in the Americas (2022), PAHO Director Dr. Carissa F. Etienne highlighted the need to restore routine vaccination levels that had declined due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

The Future of PAHO’s Work in Dominica

Looking ahead, PAHO continues to:

  • Expand Dominica’s healthcare infrastructure, particularly in rural and underserved areas.
  • Promote public health research and knowledge-sharing initiatives.
  • Support climate adaptation strategies for healthcare resilience.

PAHO remains a crucial partner in Dominica’s health development through its long-standing technical and financial support, ensuring quality, equity, and sustainability in healthcare delivery.