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So far in 2025, 128 cases of dengue fever, a viral disease transmitted through the bite of the Aedes aegypti mosquito, have been recorded. The surveillance system has also reported 435 cases of malaria, a febrile disease transmitted through the bite of infected female Anopheles mosquitoes.

Regarding dengue, Espaillat province accounted for 10.9% of cases, La Vega 9.4%, and Puerto Plata 7.8%. These are the three provinces with the highest incidence.

Malaria

Four cases of malaria were reported, three in the province of San Juan and one in Azua, both endemic areas that maintain active outbreaks of the disease. So far this year, 435 cases have been confirmed, with 50% concentrated in the Azua outbreak, followed by San Juan with 41%, and Elías Piña, which has registered 6% of the cases. Regarding nationality, 71% of those affected are of Dominican origin, while 29% are Haitian citizens. The most affected group is women between 20 and 29 years old. The Epidemiology Directorate reports in its bulletin that no new cases of cholera, leptospirosis, or COVID-19 were recorded.

Good news

The Ministry of Health, in its 24th bulletin, reports that no maternal deaths were reported in the country, which represents the strengthening of care provided to pregnant women in health centers.

As of week 24, 79 maternal deaths have been reported in the Dominican Republic, representing a decrease of eight deaths compared to the same period last year, when 87 were reported.

Recommendations

The Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women attend their prenatal checkups on time and maintain a balanced diet.

Also, avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances, rest, avoid stress, and take the vitamins and supplements prescribed by your medical staff.

Respiratory viruses

During epidemiological week 24, the Doctor Defilló National Public Health Reference Laboratory processed 70 respiratory samples.

The circulation of different viruses has been confirmed, including Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, Influenza A (H3N2), Influenza B (Victoria lineage), SARS-CoV-2, and Parainfluenza virus.

The positivity rate for influenza was 12.9%, while for SARS-CoV-2 it was 2.9%. For other respiratory viruses, the rate was 4.3%, and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), no positive cases were recorded.

Infant mortality

Regarding infant deaths this epidemiological week, 23 deaths were reported. The cumulative number of infant deaths over the past 25 weeks has been 771. Compared to the 2024 period, a reduction of 242 deaths is observed, according to the report.

Drug use

Regarding the commemoration of the International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking, the official report urges strengthening joint actions to prevent drug use, control trafficking, and protect the health and safety of the population. In the Dominican Republic, strategies to prevent and combat drug abuse and illicit trafficking have been strengthened, it states.

The country is working to strengthen its prevention efforts, according to a report from the General Directorate of Epidemiology.

Santo Domingo— As international alerts emerge regarding a new variant of COVID-19, the Dominican Republic is experiencing a surge in virus circulation, with 247 new confirmed cases recorded over the past three weeks, including 84 instances detected between June 8 and 14.

As of this year, official records indicate a cumulative total of 681 confirmed cases of COVID-19. In the last week of records, the positivity rate for laboratory samples reached 10%.

In the bulletin for epidemiological week 24, released yesterday, the Ministry of Public Health details that of the 84 confirmed cases of COVID-19 during the last week, the National District accounted for 28 cases, Santiago for 19, and Santo Domingo for 8 cases.

The provinces with the highest Cumulative Incidence (CI) were Duarte, with 175.97, and the National District, with 172.07 per 100,000 inhabitants.

The recommendations

The Ministry of Public Health urges the population to get vaccinated against influenza and COVID-19, especially those in at-risk groups. It also recommends wearing a mask indoors, washing hands frequently, and ensuring good ventilation.

It indicates that if the patient experiences a persistent fever or difficulty breathing, they should seek medical advice immediately. Obtain information only from official sources and refrain from spreading unverified information.

Nimbus

Press reports indicate that this week, European health authorities are warning of a potential surge in COVID-19 infections in the coming months due to the emergence of new, rapidly spreading variants of the virus.

Among them is a new Omicron variant, NB.1.8.1, called Nimbus, which is considered more contagious but less deadly. It is a sublineage of the dominant Omicron variant of the SARS-CoV-2 coronavirus, which causes COVID-19.

Among the symptoms it presents are fever, fatigue, muscle pain, cough, nasal congestion, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, and occasionally, a characteristic lacerating pain in the throat.

This month, the World Health Organization (WHO) also reported that it is monitoring a new variant of the coronavirus, designated as B. 1.8.1, but stated that although this strain has led to an increase in COVID-19 infections in various regions, the overall risk to the population is considered low.

Severe respiratory

Likewise, the country has recorded some 734 suspected cases and 28 deaths from Severe Acute Respiratory Illness (SARI) so far this year, 40 of which were detected in the last week, as part of the sentinel surveillance carried out by the Epidemiology Directorate of the Ministry of Public Health.

Last year to date, sentinel surveillance had detected 815 suspected cases and five deaths from Severe Acute Respiratory Illness or Syndrome, which is defined as a severe form of pneumonia, the infection of which causes severe discomfort or difficulty breathing and can sometimes lead to death.

According to experts, Acute Respiratory Syndrome (ARS) is a respiratory infection that begins suddenly. It is characterized by a high fever of 38 degrees Celsius or higher, cough, and shortness of breath, often requiring mechanical ventilation.

Respiratory viruses

Meanwhile, among the circulating respiratory viruses detected during the week of June 8-14, influenza was the most prevalent, with nearly 13% of the samples analyzed at the Dr. Defilló National Laboratory testing positive last week.

According to the epidemiological report for week 24, released this Thursday by the Ministry of Public Health, during the week of June 8 to 14, 70 respiratory samples were processed confirming the circulation of different viruses, including Influenza A ( H1N1 ) pdm09, Influenza A ( H3N2 ), Influenza B (Victoria lineage), SARS-CoV-2 and Parainfluenza virus.

It indicates that the positivity rate for influenza was 12.9%, while for SARS-CoV-2, or the COVID-19 virus, it was 2.9%. The positivity rate for other respiratory viruses was 4.3%.

Malaria and dengue

In the last week of the report, four cases of malaria were reported, three of which occurred in the provinces of San Juan and Azua, both endemic areas that have maintained active outbreaks of the disease.

So far this year, 435 cases of malaria have been confirmed, of which 50% (217) were concentrated in the Azua focus, followed by San Juan with 41% (177) and Elías Piña, which registered 6% (26) of the cases.

Regarding nationality, 71% (310) of those affected are of Dominican origin, while 29% (125) are Haitian citizens; the most affected group is women between 20 and 29 years old.

Regarding dengue, the report indicates that 128 cases have been confirmed in the Dominican Republic up to week 24, representing an 86% reduction compared to last year. Espaillat province accounted for the largest share, at 10.9%, followed by La Vega with 9.4% and Puerto Plata with 7.8%.

Maternal deaths

The epidemiological report also highlights that no maternal deaths were reported in the country last week, which is attributed to the increased care provided to pregnant women in health centers.

As of week 24, 79 maternal deaths have been reported in the Dominican Republic, representing a decrease of 8 cases compared to the same period last year, when 87 were reported.

The Ministry of Health recommends that pregnant women attend their prenatal checkups on time, maintain a balanced diet, avoid alcohol, tobacco, and other harmful substances, rest, avoid stress, and take the vitamins and supplements prescribed by medical personnel.

Maternal deaths

Of infant deaths in that last epidemiological week, 23 deaths were reported, for a cumulative total of 771 deaths so far this year, which, compared to the 2024 period, shows a reduction of 242 deaths.

Drug Use and Trafficking

This week’s epidemiological bulletin focuses on the commemoration of the ” International Day against Drug Abuse and Illicit Trafficking ” on June 26. In this regard, the Ministry of Health urged strengthening joint actions to prevent drug use, control trafficking, and protect the health and safety of the population.

He emphasized that strategies to prevent and combat drug abuse and trafficking have been strengthened in the Dominican Republic through a series of coordinated actions among various institutions.

As part of these initiatives, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Education have developed prevention and education programs in schools and communities, promoting awareness campaigns and training health promoters.

In the area of ​​treatment and rehabilitation, specialized centers have been implemented to provide comprehensive care to people with addiction, prioritizing not only medical treatment but also social reintegration.

The costs

The report highlights that drug abuse in the Dominican Republic has a significant impact on the rise of communicable and non-communicable diseases associated with drug use, such as HIV/AIDS, hepatitis, mental disorders, and overdoses.

It also leads to an overload of public health services for treatment and rehabilitation; an increase in violence related to drug trafficking and organized crime; and a loss of productivity and increased social costs for the State.

It indicates that a 2022 study by the Ministry of Public Health estimated that spending on drug user care exceeds US$5 million annually.

Four cases of malaria were reported, three in the province of San Juan and one in Azua, both endemic areas that maintain active outbreaks of the disease.

So far this year, 435 cases have been confirmed, of which 50% (217) were concentrated in the Azua outbreak, followed by San Juan with 41% (177) and Elías Piña, which registered 6% (26) of the cases. Regarding nationality, 71% (310) of those affected are of Dominican origin, while 29% (125) are Haitian citizens. The most affected group is women between 20 and 29 years old.

During epidemiological week 24, the Doctor Defilló National Reference Laboratory for Public Health processed 70 respiratory samples, confirming the circulation of different viruses, including Influenza A (H1N1)pdm09, Influenza A (H3N2), Influenza B (Victoria lineage), SARS-CoV-2, and Parainfluenza virus.

The positivity rate for influenza was 12.9%, while for SARS-CoV-2, it was 2.9%. For other respiratory viruses, the rate was 4.3%, and for respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), no positive cases were recorded.

Infant deaths

Of infant deaths reported this epidemiological week, 23 were reported. In the Dominican Republic, as of SE-24 2025, 771 infant deaths have been recorded, a decrease of 242 compared to the 2024 period.

Punta Cana.- Private hospitals across Central America and the Caribbean are well-positioned to develop a regional hospital network offering high-quality services aligned with the growing medical tourism industry. This vision was shared by Carlos Prato, secretary of the board of the Association of Private Hospitals of Central America, Panama, and the Dominican Republic, during the opening of the Second International Congress on Quality and Innovation in Health in Bávaro-Punta Cana.

Prato emphasized the potential for countries in the region to join forces and market themselves collectively as a single medical tourism destination. He highlighted the region’s capacity to provide affordable, efficient healthcare, particularly appealing to patients from the U.S. and Canada. The event aims to promote collaboration among hospitals in areas like referrals, shared best practices, education, and procurement strategies.

The congress features more than 30 conferences, with topics spanning digital transformation, robotic surgery, medical ethics, electronic health records, personalized medicine, and financial inclusion in healthcare. Institutions such as the World Bank, IDB, IFC, and FEDEFARMA are participating, alongside private clinics from across the region.

Santo Domingo.- The Dominican Republic is expanding its global reputation beyond sun and beaches, positioning itself as a growing health and wellness tourism hub. The medical tourism sector now generates over US$1.3 billion annually, making it one of the five most important contributors to the national economy—alongside traditional tourism, medical device exports, gold, and tobacco.

This high-value industry integrates healthcare, tourism, foreign investment, transportation, education, innovation, and hospitality. Beyond generating foreign revenue and quality jobs, it also raises national healthcare standards by driving structural improvements, standardization of practices, and workforce professionalization. The sector presents a key opportunity to diversify the economy, enhance the national brand, and activate value chains that benefit both public and private sectors.

A Key Institutional Step: Decree 787-21

President Luis Abinader took a significant step by issuing Decree 787-21, officially declaring health and wellness tourism a matter of national interest. This recognizes the strategic importance of the sector and establishes a foundation for state-level coordination and long-term development.

“Medical tourism has shifted from being a trend to becoming a national development strategy with real economic and social impact,” said Dr. Alejandro Cambiaso, president of the Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS). He emphasized that while the decree is a milestone, its successful implementation requires a clear roadmap, institutional backing, and continuity over time.

International Promotion: A Pending Task

Despite its strong potential, the country still lacks a structured strategy to promote medical tourism internationally. ADTS vice president Amelia Reyes Mora stressed that medical tourism should be marketed with the same strategic focus as traditional tourism, as the Dominican Republic offers a unique and competitive value proposition.

To strengthen its global presence, the country must actively participate in international expos, build partnerships with global platforms, and enhance its digital visibility in priority markets such as the Caribbean, North America, Europe, and Latin America. Boosting international visibility would help attract high-value patients, drive investment, and strengthen the country’s reputation as a modern, reliable healthcare destination.

The Coordinating Role of the ADTS

The Dominican Association of Health Tourism (ADTS) has played a pivotal role in bridging the healthcare, tourism, financial, and business sectors. It has supported the adoption of international standards, fostered strategic partnerships, conducted market research, and organized high-profile forums, such as the International Congresses on Health and Wellness Tourism, to promote the country to key global stakeholders.

Recommendations for Strengthening the Sector

To solidify the Dominican Republic’s position as a regional leader in medical tourism, several actions are recommended:

• Promote international certifications and accreditations to ensure service quality and patient safety.

• Combat unlicensed practitioners and unauthorized clinics to protect both the country’s reputation and patients.

• Include medical tourism in national strategies for service exports, healthcare, foreign investment, and tourism development.

• Offer fiscal incentives and financing options to encourage infrastructure growth and the development of specialized human capital.

• Strengthen public-private collaboration and interinstitutional governance to ensure long-term sustainability and patient-centered care.

• Launch and coordinate international promotion campaigns aligned with global standards and driven by both public and private sectors.

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Over the decades, it has become both an oasis and a lifeline for Dominicans, operating under a public–private, self-sustaining model that grants it a measure of operational freedom.

A recent three-day hospital stay for surgery allowed me to study in depth the pre-operative, operative and inpatient phases. Since 2010, I have applied my hospitality-sector expertise to hospital operations, refining concepts, tools and methods that may translate into meaningful improvements here and at other Dominican institutions—always mindful of our country’s specific context and resource constraints.

During my stay, I noted four key priorities:

1. Reliable clinical protocols
   Every step of care—from post-surgical treatment plans and medication administration to vital signs checks, diagnostic tests, regular physician rounds and specialist consultations—must follow standardized procedures. Consistency in these processes underpins patient safety and trust.
2. Staff professionalism and training
   The competence of nurses, physicians and support personnel shapes patients’ morale and engagement. When staff demonstrate expertise and clear communication, patients feel secure in their recovery journey.
3. Appropriate medical technology
   Modern diagnostic equipment and information systems must support rapid, accurate evaluations. Access to advanced imaging and laboratory tools reduces delays and increases confidence in treatment decisions.
4. Comfort and usability in patient rooms
   Quality beds, furniture, climate control, lighting, entertainment systems and bathroom facilities all contribute to a healing environment. Simple adjustments—adjustable lighting, supportive mattresses and easy-to-use call buttons—deliver tangible benefits to those in care.

I also identified core service roles that directly influence patient satisfaction:

• Shift nurses
  Their interactions shape patients’ perceptions of kindness and responsiveness.
• Routine-care physicians
  Regular check-ups and clear updates reassure patients and create a sense of security.
• Specialist teams
  Their thoroughness and expertise inspire trust in complex treatments.
• Food-service staff
  Attention to meal quality and timing provides comfort during lengthy stays.
• Housekeeping
  Spotless rooms and equipment reinforce a sense of safety.
• Support equipment and supplies
  Ergonomic furniture, durable linens and quality utensils attend to the basic needs of each patient.

To drive measurable improvements, I propose adapting proven service-industry models to healthcare:

• Patient-centric experience
  Borrowing from Customer Experience (CX) principles, hospitals should treat each patient interaction as an opportunity to deliver personalized, respectful service.
• Human-centered care
  Beyond clinical protocols, staff should recognize the emotional, financial and family stresses that accompany illness, offering empathy alongside medical treatment.
• Service-delivery evaluation
  In hospitality and retail, satisfaction metrics guide service standards. Hospitals must define seven essential “public-health servant” skills—courtesy, empathy, responsiveness, reliability, safety, efficiency and tangible support—and measure performance against them.
• Strategic staff training
  A tailored development plan should reach every team member—clinical, technical and support—accounting for the hospital’s unique systems and the nation’s healthcare realities. Imported training modules may require adaptation to our infrastructure, funding levels and patient demographics.

Plaza de la Salud stands as a beacon in Dominican healthcare. Yet, meeting rising expectations demands a deliberate shift toward service excellence alongside clinical quality. Our patients deserve care that restores not only their bodies but also their sense of dignity. By applying these service-management insights, we can forge a new model of patient experience—one rooted in reliability, compassion and efficiency—tailored to the Dominican Republic’s evolving health landscape.

_________________
By Roxanna Marte
Literary Agent, Cultural Manager, Writer.
Autores del Caribe Literary Agency.
Cultural Director of the CuentaRD Literary Project.

Santo Domingo.- In a firm commitment to providing top-level healthcare and putting technology at the service of the most vulnerable, the “Ciudad Sanitaria Dr. Luis E. Aybar” held its third Scientific Conference yesterday, focusing on the advances and challenges of modern medicine that remain to be overcome in the country.

During the event, specialists agreed that medicine is undergoing a period of transformation thanks to technological advances that have contributed significantly to providing more accurate diagnoses, less invasive surgeries, and faster recoveries for patients.

The event featured the presentation of the innovative Brain Suite system. This tool combines neurosurgery with artificial intelligence to offer more accurate diagnoses and greater precision when treating delicate areas such as the brain and spine.

According to Dr. Federico Álvarez, this advanced technology combines magnetic resonance imaging and computed tomography with augmented reality glasses and a robotic arm, allowing precise surgical navigation.

“The idea is that if you have a patient in the operating room, you can see the inside of the area you’re going to treat and identify tumors, blood vessels, and safe surgical paths,” he explained.

According to Álvarez, who is also the representative of the Brainlab brand in the country, this new and innovative technology, which promises to save thousands of lives and time, will be available in the coming months at the Cardio-Neuro-Ophthalmology and Transplant Center (Cecanot), which will become the first hospital in the world to have this technology.