The Dominican government is advancing a significant overhaul of its healthcare compensation system, spearheaded by Health Minister Cassanni Laville. In a recent appearance on the ‘Focus on Government and Development Program’ on DBS Radio, Minister Laville detailed the administration’s proactive steps to develop a new, improved remuneration package for the nation’s medical doctors, emphasizing fairness and extensive consultation with medical professionals.
Minister Laville confirmed that a draft proposal for the upgraded package has been prepared and deliberated upon by the Cabinet. This initiative has been a focal point of review over recent weeks and months. The process has been bolstered by the expertise of Dr. Kenneth Darroux, the newly appointed Chief Executive Officer of the Dominica Hospital Authority, who has been tasked with conferring directly with various specialists to refine the offerings and ensure widespread satisfaction. ‘This is the type of engagement that we have so that the Dominican doctors can have that dream right here in Dominica,’ Laville stated, highlighting the goal of retaining top medical talent within the country.
This move is part of a broader suite of measures first announced by Finance Minister Dr. Irving McIntyre during the July 2025 presentation of the 2025/2026 National Budget. Key announcements included the creation of eleven new medical specialist positions effective August 1, 2025, and a deadline of August 6, 2025, for the approval of the enhanced remuneration package for specialists and other medical roles. Furthermore, the government pledged to present a Medical Professional Bill and a Nursing Midwives Bill to Parliament by September 2025. These legislative actions are direct responses to public concerns regarding the quality of care at the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital (DCFH).
To strengthen hospital governance, a full-time Executive Chairperson will be appointed to enforce greater accountability, transparency, and the delivery of high-quality patient care. The new organizational structure also introduces a Clinical Director, a role endowed with the same rank as the CEO, who will report directly to the Executive Chairperson and be responsible for overseeing all clinical and medical services, ensuring proactive management of patient concerns.
Complementing these structural changes, the government is launching a financial reward program to motivate nursing and medical staff. This performance-based initiative, set to commence at the DCFH, will grant ten quarterly awards to the most outstanding doctors and nurses as evaluated by both patients and supervisors. The program aims to incentivize excellence in healthcare delivery, reinforcing the government’s commitment to a revitalized and robust public health system.