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The Belles’ Health Centre is on track for a major transformation, with a full upgrade, expanded services, and a renewed commitment to meet the primary health care needs of the community. This follows a site visit by Prime Minister Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit, Health Minister Hon. Cassanni Laville, and Parliamentary Representative Hon. Darron Lloyd.

Speaking to residents gathered at the facility, Prime Minister Skerrit emphasized that healthcare remains a central pillar of the government's development strategy. “We are absolutely committed to these four areas — the housing, the road, the health centre, and the community,” he stated. “We’ve already done the assessments, and we’ll make sure that we cover the funding needed to move the health centre project forward.”

He also stressed the importance of placing services close to vulnerable residents. “We need more people to work close to the location… so that they can have medical vans and access to them in the event of a disaster. This is about reducing vulnerabilities.”

Hon. Darron Lloyd, the area’s Parliamentary Representative, acknowledged the urgency of the upgrade. “In terms of the health centre — obviously it’s a need,” he said. “The challenges that currently exist are genuine. As the Prime Minister said, assessments have been done and will be reviewed, because additional work must be done. Once completed, every single resident is going to benefit as a result.”

He praised the administration’s responsiveness to the concerns of the people. “The very presence of the Prime Minister, the Minister of Health, Minister of Public Works, and other key officials… gives me the assurance that these issues will be confronted and resolved,” Lloyd said.

Health Minister Hon. Cassanni Laville laid out an ambitious plan for improvements. “In the Ministry of Health, our focus is on delivering high-quality, people-centred care. That’s why we’re here — to listen to you, the people, because you are our most important stakeholders,” Laville said.

He confirmed that a key outcome of the visit is the decision to double the number of monthly doctor’s clinics. “Currently, the doctor comes once per month. Based on our discussions with you, we have decided that starting next month, the doctor will come twice monthly — in the second and fourth week,” the Minister announced, to visible appreciation from residents.

Minister Laville stressed that this expansion is not just a benefit to Belles, but a national necessity. “This health centre is strategically located between Marigot and Roseau, along the Imperial Road. It is the only facility on that route — and that makes it essential not just to Belles, but to national emergency planning,” he explained.

He also addressed the status of design and construction. “In 2023, we prepared new designs through our project management team. We had gone to tender. However, based on the feedback received today, we will revise those plans to reflect the community’s input. If you are not satisfied, we are not satisfied,” Laville said.

Local resident McDowell Henry, who has long advocated for improvements, welcomed the commitment. “We’ve been talking a lot about the health centre for some time now. So I’m very, very happy today — to know that something is finally going to be done,” he said.

The health centre project falls under the Government of Dominica’s broader national vision for primary healthcare, which has seen the construction and refurbishment of numerous health and wellness centres across the island. It also follows the full upgrade of the Dominica-China Friendship Hospital and the construction of the new Marigot Hospital.

Minister Laville praised the Prime Minister’s leadership in the health sector. “We have never had a Prime Minister more focused on high-quality healthcare than Hon. Roosevelt Skerrit,” he stated. “And we want to ensure that well-equipped, well-staffed health centres are available throughout the island — not just in urban centres, but in rural communities like Belles.”

Construction and mobilization are expected to begin shortly, following the final revision of designs. The project is part of a larger government strategy to ensure that every Dominican, regardless of location, has timely access to essential healthcare services within 10 to 15 minutes of their home.