The Government information service has been recognized by the Ministry of Health Wellness and New Health Investment for our contribution to the fight against covid-19.
Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit and Minister for Health Hon. Dr. Irving McIntyre have also been honoured for their role in Dominica’s successful management of the covid-19 pandemic.
Prime Minister Skerrit told award recipients at a recognition ceremony at the State House Conference Centre on Friday, that they had gone beyond the call of duty in the fight to contain the covid-19 pandemic.
“Your services to the state have been both unprecedented and extraordinary in scope. I am reminded of the early days of this pandemic when officers of the Fire and Ambulance Services., the ports, the Police Service showed a high level of bravery, commitment and dedication in partnership with the Ministry of Health to contain and manage the spread of the virus,” PM Skerrit stated.
During the last two years the Ministry of Health has demonstrated true resilience in its response to the covid-19 pandemic.
“Efforts to mitigate against the virus began in earnest even before the first case was recorded here in Dominica. You will remember that with the help of the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO) staff of the hospital’s laboratory were trained to administer covid-19 testing as far back as March 2020, making us one of the first in the region with the capacity to do so. We were also one of the first to receive and make available lifesaving vaccines available to our population even with the scarcity of supplies of this resource to other small island developing states. The Government of Dominica provided free covid-19 testing to citizens and vaccines remain available to everyone willing to avail themselves,” the Prime Minister noted.
Prime Minister Skerrit also spoke of Government’s gratitude to its partners for their support of Dominica throughout the pandemic.
“Throughout this process the Ministry of Health has stood steadfast and I must commend the Ministry’s personnel at every level for the quality of care that you have provided over the past two and a half years. You have all excelled. Your health team, the ancillary staff, and your communications team were all up to task and we are more than proud of your conscientious approach to your work and to the safety and well-being of the Dominica people. You did all this while maintaining the delivery of essential health services to citizens and keeping our health systems functional,” PM Skerrit went on to state.
The Prime Minister added that “the awards that you received today are but a small expression of our immense gratitude for your efforts.”
The Ministry of Health, Wellness and New Health Investment Presented the Hon Prime Minister with the Award of Excellence for his outstanding leadership, visionary guidance, humanitarian service and compassion during the covid-19 pandemic.
The Minister for Health, Wellness and New Health Investment, Hon Dr. Irving McIntyre, was awarded for his exemplary dedication and stewardship during the covid-19 pandemic.
Dr. McIntyre described the covid-19 pandemic as an intense period from its inception in March 2020.
“It has been a period of sacrifices and we were dealing with was the unknown. We were shooting at a moving target, something we have never seen before and it involved a lot of sacrifices from everyone in the defense against covid-9. Nonetheless we weathered the storm with different intensities because we had different activities and different services to offer. But our strongest and our greatest force was our togetherness because some might have worked more than others but nonetheless it was because of our collective approach, that’s why we achieved such a level of success and that’s why we were able to keep the country safe,” Dr. McIntyre stated.
Other recipients included National Epidemiologist Dr. Shallaudin Ahmed, Director of Primary Health Care, Dr. Laura Espirit, Head of the Health Promotion Unit, Nurse Mignon Shillingford, Government Ministries and Departments, Doctors, Nurses and Auxiliary Staff of the Ministry of Health.
The Government Information Service wishes to congratulate all the awardees who continue to make a difference in the fight against the covid-19 pandemic.