To mark World Health Day 2026, held annually on April 7, Dr. Lynora Fevrier-Drigo, Non-Communicable Disease (NCD) Coordinator for Dominica, delivered a national address that balanced urgent calls to address pressing domestic public health challenges with measured optimism for the island nation’s health future. Aligning with the 2026 global theme “Together for Health: Stand with Science,” Dr. Fevrier-Drigo centered her remarks on three core pillars: cross-sector unity, evidence-led policy and programming, and shared collective responsibility for public health outcomes across the country.
In her address, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo acknowledged that non-communicable diseases remain the single largest threat to public health in Dominica. Up-to-date national public health data shows 32% of Dominican adults live with hypertension, while 18% are diagnosed with diabetes. More than 20% of the total population struggles with overweight or obesity, rates that place significant long-term strain on both individual health and national healthcare systems. Rather than framing these statistics only as a cause for alarm, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo framed them as a sign of progress: improved surveillance and growing public awareness have helped more people access testing and diagnosis, reflecting a more informed population and a more responsive public health system than in decades past.
Dominica has made substantial investments in upgrading healthcare infrastructure to tackle NCDs in recent years, particularly at the Dominica China Friendship Hospital. The facility has expanded its diagnostic and treatment capabilities to include cutting-edge imaging and radiology services, a fully equipped modern pathology laboratory, and specialized dialysis care for patients with chronic kidney disease. Through a new partnership with the China Institute for Cardiovascular Imaging, the hospital now offers advanced cardiac diagnostic services including echocardiograms and cardiac MRIs—medical resources that rank among the first of their kind available across the Caribbean region.
Beyond specialized hospital care, the government has prioritized strengthening primary healthcare access to ensure NCD screening and ongoing chronic disease management is available free of charge to all residents in every district across the island. This decentralized model, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo noted, reflects the nation’s unwavering commitment to health equity, guaranteeing that all Dominicans can access life-saving care regardless of their income level or geographic location, removing barriers that once delayed diagnosis and treatment for rural and low-income communities.
Policy reform has been another core pillar of Dominica’s national NCD response. The country has adopted and implemented all key World Health Organization recommendations for reducing NCD risk, including higher tobacco taxation, mandatory clear nutrition labeling for processed foods, and legal restrictions on the marketing of unhealthy food and beverage products to consumers. Dominica has also deepened regional public health collaboration through the Pan American Health Organization, joining the flagship Hearts in the Americas initiative designed to expand access to cardiovascular care across the Western Hemisphere. Aligned with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the nation has formally committed to cutting premature mortality from NCDs by 30% by 2030.
Mental health has also been elevated as a top national public health priority, with ongoing work to update outdated mental health legislation and fully integrate mental health support services into primary care settings across the country. This shift, Dr. Fevrier-Drigo explained, reflects a growing understanding that holistic, person-centered care is essential to effectively addressing NCDs, as mental health and chronic physical health outcomes are deeply interconnected.
Dr. Fevrier-Drigo emphasized that sustained progress cannot be achieved by the government alone, noting that cross-sector collaboration has already driven meaningful momentum across the country. Agricultural programs are expanding local production of nutrient-dense fresh produce, making healthy food options more accessible and affordable for all residents. Primary and secondary schools have integrated health and life skills curricula to help young people build lifelong healthy habits. Meanwhile, community organizations, faith-based groups, sports clubs, and local workplaces have emerged as key hubs for promoting physical activity, holistic wellness, and shared accountability for public health.
The address closed with a direct call to action for individual Dominican citizens to join the national movement for better health. Dr. Fevrier-Drigo highlighted that free regular screenings for blood pressure, blood glucose, and cholesterol are available at every local health center, and encouraged all residents to take advantage of these services to catch potential health risks early. She also promoted purchasing locally grown produce as both a health-conscious choice that supports personal wellness and a patriotic action that bolsters the island’s domestic agricultural sector. Leveraging Dominica’s abundant natural landscapes, she urged residents to incorporate regular physical activity—from daily walking to community sports—into their routines, and to encourage friends, family, and neighbors to adopt healthier habits as well.
“We are building a healthier Dominica, and the science tells us we are on the right path. What we need now is for every Dominican to walk it with us. Together for health, stand with science, stand with Dominica,” Dr. Fevrier-Drigo concluded.