The Dominica Hospitals Authority has demonstrated its commitment to operational transparency through a comprehensive performance review of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH) for 2025. Presented by Health Management Information System Manager Mrs. Sherry Shillingford-Sorhaindo, the data-rich assessment reveals both significant achievements and emerging challenges within the nation’s healthcare landscape.
During 2025, the facility documented substantial patient engagement across multiple departments. The hospital processed 25,259 patient visits through booked clinics, with 16,494 appointments successfully completed. The Accident and Emergency Department handled 22,863 cases, while surgical teams performed 1,644 procedures. The Imaging Department processed an impressive 21,720 patients, illustrating the institution’s critical role in national healthcare delivery.
Inpatient services accommodated 5,915 patients across nine specialized units, with surgical and medical wards accounting for 38% and 35% of admissions respectively. Maternal services represented 15% of admissions, while psychiatric and intensive care units each accounted for 3% of cases. The average patient stay duration stood at 7.2 days, though psychiatric cases extended this average to approximately two weeks due to specialized treatment requirements.
Bed occupancy rates revealed systemic pressures, with medical wards consistently operating at optimal capacity above 85% and surgical wards experiencing high utilization. Notably, the male psychiatric unit exceeded capacity monthly throughout the year, highlighting resource constraints in mental health services.
The hospital celebrated exceptional maternal health outcomes with zero maternal deaths and only one neonatal death among 513 live births, positioning Dominica well below the United Nations Sustainable Development Goal threshold of 12 deaths per thousand live births. However, the report identified a concerning 6% decline in births from 2024, continuing a decade-long trend potentially influenced by environmental and pandemic factors.
Mortality analysis indicated approximately 6% of admitted patients died, with the highest rate (30%) occurring in the Intensive Care Unit. Medical wards recorded an 11% mortality rate, while neonatal services maintained a minimal 0.6% rate.
Surgical services achieved 79% theater utilization, with 75% of procedures serving public cases and 20% addressing emergencies. The outpatient department struggled with a 35% no-show rate, particularly affecting ophthalmology, orthopedics, and oncology services, causing significant appointment delays for other patients.
The report confirmed that Marigot Hospital continues providing 24/7 urgent care services alongside specialty clinics, with medical staff from DCFH supporting operations. Dental services initiated in late 2024 continued throughout 2025, though specific metrics for dental care were not yet available for presentation.