DOMDA president calls for chronic disease registry in Dominica

On Monday 2 November, Dominica Diabetes Association President Antonia Samuel called for a mandatory National Chronic Disease Registry Policy for people diagnosed with diabetes and hypertension. Samuel said the proposed legally supported system would standardise recording and monitoring across primary health centres.

The association cited a 12.9% adult diabetes prevalence rate in Dominica, estimating that 7,000 to 10,000 people are living with the disease. DOMDA said about 24.5% of people with diabetes remain undiagnosed, and Samuel said diabetes and hypertension are among the island's leading causes of death and disability.

The call was made during World Diabetes Awareness Month, ahead of World Diabetes Day on 14 November. The International Diabetes Federation's 2026 theme is “Early Action on Diabetes”, which the association said focuses on prevention, risk factors, timely diagnosis and health education for primary and secondary school students.

Samuel said DOMDA will place greater emphasis on preventing diabetes among younger people through 2027 while continuing support for people already diagnosed. Its activities include public education campaigns, free community screenings and the Buddy Champions peer-support programme.

Samuel said the proposed registry could support access to essential medication, screening for complications and continuity of patient care. She said DOMDA is offering to work with the Ministry of Health, Health Promotion Unit and Ministry of Education on public education and prevention efforts.