The country is waiting with bated breath for the announcement from Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit as to his choice for President of Dominica to replace Charles Savarin whose second term in the top post expires on October 1, 2023.
Prime Minister at a recently held press conference confirmed that “the search is on for a new President” and stated that “very soon he will make the announcement about the government’s choice.”
Political observers say the choice is between medical doctor Carissa Etienne and former Senior Government Minister Reginald Austrie.
Brief Bio of Dr. Etienne
Dr. Carissa Etienne began her career in Dominica as a medical officer at the Princess Margaret Hospital (PMH) and was later appointed as the Chief Medical Officer. She has also served in other high-level posts in Dominica, including Director of Primary Health Care Services, Coordinator of the National AIDS Program, Disaster Coordinator for the Ministry of Health, and Chair of the National Advisory Council for HIV/AIDS.
Dr. Etienne received her medical degree (Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery-MBBS) from the University of the West Indies, Jamaica, and her Master of Science Degree (MSc) in Community Health in Developing Countries from the London School of Hygiene and Tropical Medicine, University of London.
From March 2008 to November 2012, Dr. Etienne served as Assistant Director-General for Health Systems and Services at the World Health Organization in Geneva, Switzerland. Prior to that, as Assistant Director of the Pan American Sanitary Bureau from July2003 to February 2008, she led five technical areas: Health Systems and Services; Technology, Health Care, and Research; Health Surveillance and Disease Management; Family and Community Health; and Sustainable Development and Environmental Health.
During her tenure at both WHO and PAHO, Dr. Etienne led the efforts to renew primary health care and to strengthen health systems based on primary health care, promoting integration and improved functioning of health systems. She has also spearheaded policy directions for reducing health inequalities and advancing health for all through universal coverage, people-centered care, the integration of health into broader public policies, and inclusive and participatory health leadership. In 2015 Dominica’s highest award of honour (DAH) was bestowed on Dr. Etienne.
Reginald V. Austrie is a Dominican politician and former Cabinet Minister.
Career
On 11 April 2018, Austrie was appointed Deputy Prime Minister and Minister for Agriculture Food, and Fisheries in the Dominica Labour Party (DLP) Administration of Prime Minister Roosevelt Skerrit.
He previously served as Minister of Energy; Minister of Communications, Works, and Housing; Minister of Housing, Lands, and Telecommunications; Minister of Housing, Lands, Settlements, and Water Resource Management; and Minister for Housing, Lands, and Water Resource Management from 2014.
Following the retention of his seat in the 2019 general election, he was appointed Senior Minister and Minister of Housing and Urban Development in the Roosevelt Skerrit Administration on 17 December 2019. Austrie left the political arena in 2022 and in November 2022 was awarded the Dominica Award of Honour (DAH) the States highest award.